(a) To be eligible to participate in the Loan Repayment Program an individual must:

(1)

(i) Be enrolled as a full-time student in the final year of a course of study or program approved by the Secretary which leads to a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, dentistry or other health profession and which is offered by an accredited school in a State or

(ii) Be enrolled in an approved graduate training program in allopathic or osteopathic medicine or dentistry or other health profession in a State, or

(iii) Have a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine or dentistry or other health profession and have completed an approved graduate training program in a State (or received a waiver of the completion requirement under §62.26(d) of this subpart) and have a current and valid license to practice such health profession in a State;

(2) Be eligible for, or hold, an appointment as a commissioned officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service or be eligible for selection for civilian service in the National Health Service Corps;

(3) Submit an application to participate in the Loan Repayment Program; and

(4) Sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time of the submission of such application, a written contract agreeing to accept repayment of health professions educational loans and to serve (in accordance with this subpart) for the applicable period of obligated service in a health manpower shortage area as determined by the Secretary.

(b) Any individual who owes an obligation for health professional service to the Federal Government or a State or other entity under an agreement with such Federal, State or other entity is ineligible for the Loan Repayment Program unless such obligation will be completely satisfied prior to the beginning of service under this Program.

(c) Individuals in breach of a written contract entered into under section 338A of the Act and liable to the United States under section 338E(b) of the Act, in breach of a written contract entered into under section 225 of the Act (as in effect on September 30, 1977) and liable to the United States under section 225(f)(1) of the Act (as in effect on September 30, 1977) or in breach of any other obligation for health professional service to a Federal, State or local government entity are not eligible for participation in the Loan Repayment Program.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0915-0127)