Section 7693 - Eligibility; preferences; covered costs(a) ELIGIBILITY.-An individual is eligible to participate in the Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program if the individual-(1) will be eligible for appointment under section 7401 of this title to work in an occupation described in section 7692 of this title;(2) owes any amount of principal or interest under a loan, the proceeds of which were used by or on behalf of that individual to pay costs relating to a course of education or training which led to a degree that qualified the individual for the position referred to in paragraph (1); and(3) is-(A) recently graduated from an accredited medical or osteopathic school and matched to an accredited residency program in a medical specialty described in section 7692 of this title; or(B) a physician in training in a medical specialty described in section 7692 of this title with more than 2 years remaining in such training.(b) PREFERENCES.-In selecting individuals for participation in the Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program under this subchapter, the Secretary may give preference to the following:(1) Individuals who are, or will be, participating in residency programs in health care facilities-(A) located in rural areas;(B) operated by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or the Indian Health Service; or(C) affiliated with underserved health care facilities of the Department.(c) COVERED COSTS.-For purposes of subsection (a)(2), costs relating to a course of education or training include-(2) all other reasonable educational expenses, including expenses for fees, books, equipment, and laboratory expenses; and(3) reasonable living expenses.Added Pub. L. 115-182, title III, §303(a), June 6, 2018, 132 Stat. 1464; amended Pub. L. 115-251, title II, §211(a)(12), Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3176.EDITORIAL NOTES
AMENDMENTS2018-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115-251 substituted "will be eligible for appointment" for "is hired".
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
PREFERENCE Pub. L. 115-182, title III, §303(d), June 6, 2018, 132 Stat. 1467, as amended by Pub. L. 115-251, title II, §211(b)(6)(A), Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3176, provided that: "In granting preference under section 7693 of title 38, United States Code, as enacted by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine whether a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs is underserved based on the criteria developed under section 401 of this Act [ 38 U.S.C. 8110 note]."