Bill > A06711

This bill expands existing scholarship and loan forgiveness programs in New York state to include podiatrists alongside physicians and dentists. Specifically, the bill modifies three key sections of education law to add podiatry to programs that previously only covered medicine and dentistry. These changes affect the Regents Professional Education Scholarships, which will now award 100 annual competitive scholarships to students beginning professional study in medicine, dentistry, or podiatry. The Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Program is also updated to include dentists and podiatrists, allowing healthcare professionals who agree to practice in underserved areas of New York to receive loan forgiveness awards. Similarly, the Regents Health Care Professional Opportunity Scholarships are expanded to include podiatry students, with priority given to economically disadvantaged or minority applicants. The loan forgiveness program will continue to offer two consecutive annual payments of up to $10,000 each to help offset student loan expenses for eligible practitioners who commit to serving in areas with healthcare professional shortages. The bill aims to address workforce needs in healthcare by providing financial incentives for professionals to practice in underserved regions of New York state.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6711