Failure of scholarship recipient to meet service obligations

(a) If the recipient of a scholarship under this subpart fails to honor his or her obligation to serve in the Army National Guard or the United States Army as provided in paragraph (6) of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-3-421, such recipient shall, at the option of the recipient, either: (1) Serve not less than four years as an enlisted member of the Army National Guard or United States Army; or (2) Pay to the authority an amount equal to the amount of scholarship assistance received by the recipient under this subpart, plus interest, such amount to be paid, in accordance with regulations of the authority, within five years after the recipient graduates from or terminates his or her enrollment in the University of North Georgia. (b) Subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to any person who, for bona fide reasons of health as jointly verified by the authority and the selection committee, is unable to honor the obligation provided for in paragraph (6) of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-3-421. (Ga. L. 1980, p. 1292, § 8; Code 1933, § 32-3788, enacted by Ga. L. 1981, p. 735, § 51; Ga. L. 1983, p. 778, § 4; Ga. L. 2013, p. 1048, § 1/SB 82.) 20-3-426. Effect of failure to meet standards and requirements for continued eligibility for scholarship; filling of vacancies. (a) If at any time a recipient of a scholarship fails to meet the standards and requirements for continued eligibility as provided by the selection committee pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 20-3-423, such recipient shall thereby lose eligibility for the scholarship and shall be obligated to repay the same as provided in Code Section 20-3-425. The selection committee shall promptly notify the authority when a recipient loses eligibility. (b) In the event a scholarship recipient fails to meet the standards for retention or otherwise surrenders the scholarship, the committee may select a candidate to fill the vacancy for the remaining period of the scholarship. The nominees shall be required to meet all criteria established for the four-year scholarship. Such recipients of scholarships shall incur the same obligations as a four-year scholarship recipient; provided, however, that such recipients of scholarships of less than four years shall only be required to serve the number of years in the Georgia Army National Guard or number of years of active duty service in the United States Army or number of years in a combination 267 20-3-431 of service in the active army and the Georgia Army National Guard which corresponds to the period or number of years of such scholarship. (Ga. L. 1980, p. 1292, § 9; Code 1933, § 32-3789, enacted by Ga. L. 1981, p. 735, § 51; Ga. L. 1983, p. 778, § 3; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22, § 20; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6, § 20; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1151, § 1; Ga. L. 2013, p. 1048, § 1/SB 82.) 20-3-427. Promulgation of rules and regulations by authority; funding of scholarship program. The authority shall, consistent with this subpart, promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer the scholarship program provided for in this subpart. The funds necessary to carry out this subpart shall be paid from funds appropriated to the authority for the purposes of this subpart. (Ga. L. 1980, p. 1292, § 10; Code 1933, § 32-3790, enacted by Ga. L. 1981, p. 735, § 51; Ga. L. 2013, p. 1048, § 1/SB 82.) Subpart 6 University of North Georgia Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Grant Program 20-3-430. Legislative findings; purpose of subpart.