38 U.S.C. § 7693 | Eligibility; preferences; covered costs

(a)

Eligibility .—

An individual is eligible to participate in the Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program if the individual—

(1)

section 7401 of this title section 7692 of this title will be eligible for appointment under to work in an occupation described in ;

(2)

owes any amount of principal or interest under a loan, the proceeds of which were used by or on behalf of that individual to pay costs relating to a course of education or training which led to a degree that qualified the individual for the position referred to in paragraph (1); and

(3)

is—

(A)

section 7692 of this title recently graduated from an accredited medical or osteopathic school and matched to an accredited residency program in a medical specialty described in ; or

(B)

section 7692 of this title a physician in training in a medical specialty described in with more than 2 years remaining in such training.

(b)

Preferences .—

In selecting individuals for participation in the Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program under this subchapter, the Secretary may give preference to the following:

(1)

Individuals who are, or will be, participating in residency programs in health care facilities—

(A)

located in rural areas;

(B)

operated by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or the Indian Health Service; or

(C)

affiliated with underserved health care facilities of the Department.

(2)

Veterans.

(c)

Covered Costs .—

For purposes of subsection (a)(2), costs relating to a course of education or training include—

(1)

tuition expenses;

(2)

all other reasonable educational expenses, including expenses for fees, books, equipment, and laboratory expenses; and

(3)

reasonable living expenses.

Pub. L. 115–182, title III, § 303(a)June 6, 2018132 Stat. 1464 Pub. L. 115–251, title II, § 211(a)(12)Sept. 29, 2018132 Stat. 3176(Added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–2512018—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “will be eligible for appointment” for “is hired”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Preference

Pub. L. 115–182, title III, § 303(d)June 6, 2018132 Stat. 1467 Pub. L. 115–251, title II, § 211(b)(6)(A)Sept. 29, 2018132 Stat. 3176

section 7693 of title 38 38 U.S.C. 8110“In granting preference under , United States Code, as enacted by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine whether a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs is underserved based on the criteria developed under section 401 of this Act [ note].”

, , , as amended by , , , provided that: