R434-40-11. Loan Repayment Grant Eligibility and Selection

  (1) In selecting a loan repayment grant recipient for a loan repayment grant award, the Department may 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 community or migrant health center, homeless shelter, public health department clinic, worked with geriatric populations, or other service commitment to the medically underserved;

  (ii) has work or educational experience with the medically underserved through the Peace Corps, VISTA, has worked with geriatric populations, or a similar volunteer agency;

  (iii) has cultural or language skills that may be 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 his commitment to serve in an underserved area;

  (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 his 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) To be eligible for a loan repayment grant, an applicant must be a United States citizen or permanent resident.

  (3) The Department may consider only grant applicants who apply within 18 months of the applicant's beginning employment at an approved eligible site.