(a) A Vermont resident enrolled in an accredited registered nursing or licensed practical nursing program in Vermont is eligible for a loan of up to $6,000.00 per year, provided graduation from the program will result in eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN nursing examination in the case of a registered nurse or the NCLEX-PN in the case of a licensed practical nurse.

(b) The amount of up to $6,000.00 of a loan awarded under this section shall be cancelled and forgiven for each year the student is a resident of Vermont and employed as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Vermont or at an accredited hospital within 10 miles of the Vermont border. Eligibility for this program shall be determined by the Department of Health, in consultation with schools, providers, and the Area Health Education Center (AHEC). The Commissioner may require certification of compliance with this subsection prior to forgiving all or a portion of the loan.

(c) The Commissioner shall award up to $6,000.00 per year for up to four years to any licensed registered nurse or practical nurse who has outstanding educational loans and who has not received or is not eligible to receive loan forgiveness under subsection (b) of this section, for each year the nurse is employed as a registered or practical nurse. Eligibility for this program shall be determined by the Department of Health, in consultation with schools, providers, and the AHEC. The Commissioner may require certification of compliance with this subsection prior to making an award.

(d) The Commissioner shall use funds appropriated first to provide loans and loan forgiveness pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Remaining funds shall be used to provide awards pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, giving priority to those nurses serving in an undersupplied nursing specialty or in a geographic area of Vermont which is underserved.

(e) This program shall apply to registered nurses or licensed practical nurses who have graduated after April 1, 2001.

(f) [Repealed.]  (Added 2001, No. 63, § 113a; amended 2001, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), § 129, eff. June 21, 2002; 2005, No. 71, § 109.)