A. There is hereby established the Nursing Student Assistance Program which shall be administered by the Physician Manpower Training Commission. The purpose of the program shall be to encourage persons to enter nursing education programs and to practice in areas of this state in which there is an urgent need for nursing services or in institutions or agencies of this state which provide funds on a matching basis with the Physician Manpower Training Commission for the support of nursing students. The Nursing Student Assistance Program shall be administered by rules adopted by the Physician Manpower Training Commission.
B. Only students who are residents of this state shall be eligible to participate in the Nursing Student Assistance Program.
C. If a person receiving Nursing Student Assistance Program funds fails to fully comply with the provisions of the contract for the funds, the person shall refund to the Physician Manpower Training Commission all monies received by the person pursuant to the provisions of the contract plus a one-time liquidated damages assessment of five percent (5%) of the total amount dispersed to the person in lieu of interest. The Commission shall prorate the amount to be repaid in the event the obligation was partially fulfilled.
D. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Physician Manpower Training Commission to be designated the "Nursing Student Assistance Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all nonappropriated monies, including community match money of appropriated funds, grants, gifts, and repayment of scholarships received by the Physician Manpower Training Commission. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Physician Manpower Training Commission for such scholarships as may be provided for pursuant to the Nursing Student Assistance Program. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
Added by Laws 1984, c. 260, § 13, operative July 1, 1984. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 304, § 619; Laws 2018, c. 286, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2018.