Bill > S0019

This bill establishes the Health Care Professional Loan Forgiveness Program in South Carolina to help address healthcare workforce shortages in underserved areas. The program will provide up to $30,000 in student loan reimbursement for eligible participants who are pursuing careers as physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners or certified nurse midwives). To qualify, participants must be enrolled in a South Carolina public university's healthcare professional program, commit to working in an underserved rural or urban area for either two years at a 36-hour work week or four years at a reduced schedule, and maintain an unencumbered South Carolina professional license. The South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium will administer the program, with an advisory committee composed of representatives from medical associations who will help develop policies and procedures. Participants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being free from federal debt, having no existing service obligations, and being current on child support payments. If participants successfully complete their service commitment, their entire loan will be forgiven; however, if they fail to meet the requirements, they will be responsible for repaying the full loan amount within one year. The program's implementation is contingent upon annual state funding, with loans to be distributed equitably among healthcare disciplines.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=19&session=126&summary=B