§3077 Education Loan Repayment Program

Summary

The Secretary may repay education loans for certain commissioned officers to keep needed skills in the corps. The loan must have paid for education and come from a government source, bank, school, or other approved lender. To get repayment, a person must be fully qualified for or hold an officer appointment, meet one of two academic rules (already qualified in a needed profession, or a full‑time student in the final year of a qualifying degree), and sign a written agreement to serve on active duty or extend active duty beyond any other obligation. Repayments can cover principal, interest, and related costs, but each year the Secretary may not pay more than the amount in 10 U.S.C. 2173(e)(2). Signing an agreement creates an active duty service obligation. The Secretary’s rules set the length of that obligation, but it cannot be less than one year for each maximum annual payment (or part of one) made. Service may follow other obligations or run at the same time as obligations under section 3006. If an officer leaves early, the Secretary may assign another duty, and failure to complete the obligation triggers the repayment rules in section 3006. The Secretary must make regulations that define qualified loans, payees, and other terms.