§2173 Education Loan Repayment Program: Commissioned Officers in Specified Health Professions

Summary

Allows a military department secretary to pay off education loans for certain health-care officers so the armed forces keep enough qualified people. The loan must have been used for health-profession training and can come from a government agency, a bank, a school, or another authorized lender. To get repayment, a person must meet one of the listed academic tests (for example, already fully qualified to fill a needed health job, in the final year of an eligible health program, finishing a specialty graduate program, or in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship program for fewer years than the normal course), be fully qualified for or hold a commissioned officer appointment in a health field, and sign a written agreement to serve on active duty or extend their active duty time. Repayments can cover principal, interest, and related costs for education and reasonable living expenses up to amounts comparable to the Health Professions Scholarship program. The Secretary may pay up to $60,000 for each year of obligated service, with that cap raised each October 1 by the same percent that scholarship education and stipend costs rise. Service time rules set a minimum of one year of duty per maximum annual amount paid, require the obligation to run after any existing duty, and impose repayment or alternative obligations if the person does not complete the service. Students at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences are not eligible. The Secretary of Defense must write rules to run the program.