Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program

Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program:

The award amount shall not exceed twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) per academic year, or the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books and equipment, whichever is less. The number of awards is limited to twenty-five (25) students for the 2008-2009 academic year and fifty (50) students for the 2009-2010 academic year.

For the purpose of this program, health resource shortage area means an area determined as a health resource shortage area by the Department of Health, Office of Rural Health.

The Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program is a five-year pilot program. To be eligible, the student must:

Complete the program of study by the end of spring 2013

Be a Tennessee resident for one year preceding the date of application for this program;

Have complied with the United States selective service system requirement for registration, if such requirements are applicable to the student;

Not be in default on a federal Title IV educational loan or Tennessee educational loan;

Not owe a refund on a federal Title IV student financial aid program or a Tennessee student financial aid program;

Be in compliance with federal drug-free rules and laws for receiving financial assistance;

Not incarcerated;

Meet each qualification relating to this program and applicable to the student

Enroll at an eligible postsecondary institution that has or offers:
School of Medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, or its successor;

Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree

School of Medicine accredited by the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathy Association, or its successor;

Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree

School of Dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Association, or its successor;

Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree

Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree

Physicians assistance program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, or its successor;

Full-time student seeking to become a physician assistant

Nurse practitioner program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., or its successor, or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, or its successor;

Full-time student seeking to become a nurse practitioner

Continuation Requirements:

Maintain satisfactory progress in the program of study in which the student is enrolled as defined by the eligible postsecondary institution
Loan Forgiveness Requirements:

Agree to practice medicine or dentistry in a health resource shortage area one (1) year for each year of funding in this program after becoming a TN licensed physician, TN licensed dentist, osteopathic physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner with a TN certification of fitness

Not accept other financial aid that carries a service obligation after graduation and receipt of applicable license, except for service obligation to the United States armed forces, reserve, or National Guard

Sign a promissory note each year the scholarship is awarded stipulating the repayment obligation if service requirement is not met. All funds obtained from this program shall be repaid with interest at 9% per annum

Exception: Documented evidence to support death or permanent disability making it impossible for the student to repay