(1) In selecting a recipient for a loan
repayment grant award, the Department shall evaluate the applicant based on the
following selection criteria:
(a) the extent
to which an applicant's training in a health care specialty is needed at an
approved site;
(b) the applicant's
commitment to serve in an underserved area, which can be demonstrated in any of
the following ways:
(i) has worked or
volunteered at a:
(A) community or migrant
health center;
(B) homeless
shelter;
(C) public health
department clinic;
(D) geriatric
clinic; or
(E) other service
commitment to the medically underserved;
(ii) has work or educational experience with
the medically underserved or geriatric populations through the Peace Corps,
AmeriCorps VISTA, or a similar volunteer agency;
(iii) has cultural or language skills that
are essential for provision of health care services to the medically
underserved;
(iv) other facts or
experience that the applicant can demonstrate to the Department that
establishes the applicant's commitment to serve in an underserved area;
and
(v) the availability of the
applicant to begin service, with greater consideration being given to
applicants available for service at earlier dates;
(c) the applicant's:
(i) academic standing;
(ii) prior professional or personal
experience serving in an underserved area;
(iii) board certification or
eligibility;
(iv) postgraduate
training achievements;
(v) peer
recommendations;
(vi) other facts
that the applicant can demonstrate to the Department that establishes the
applicant's professional competence or conduct;
(d) the applicant's financial need;
(e) the applicant's willingness to serve
patients who are without insurance or whose care is paid for by government
programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP;
(f) the applicant's willingness to provide
care regardless of a patient's ability to pay;
(g) the applicant's ability and willingness
to provide care; and
(h) the
applicant's achieving an early match with an approved site.
(2) Only United States citizens or
permanent residents are eligible to receive a scholarship grant.
(3) The applicant shall submit a written
commitment from the health care facility employing the eligible professional
that the health care facility will provide education loan repayment assistance
in an amount equal to 20% of the total award amount.
(4) The Department may consider only grant
applicants who apply within 18 months of the applicant's beginning employment
at an approved eligible site.
(5)
The Department may give priority to health care professionals working in
publicly funded sites.
