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2008 Session

Budget Bill - HB29 (Chapter 847)

Department of Health

Item 285

Item 285 (Not set out)

First Year - FY2007Second Year - FY2008
Higher Education Student Financial Assistance (10800)$1,808,196$2,008,196
Scholarships (10810)FY2007 $1,808,196FY2008 $2,008,196
Fund Sources:  
GeneralFY2007 $1,000,680FY2008 $1,480,964
Dedicated Special RevenueFY2007 $505,284FY2008 $225,000
Federal TrustFY2007 $302,232FY2008 $302,232

Authority: §§ 23-35.9 through 23-35.13, 23-37.1 through 23-37.5, and 32.1-122.5:1 through 32.1-122.10, Code of Virginia.


A. Out of this appropriation, $500,680 from the general fund and $280,284 from nongeneral funds the first year and $780,964 from the general fund the second year is provided for financial incentives such as medical scholarships (for those medical students currently participating in the scholarship program), loan repayment, one-time salary bonuses, and travel expenses to physicians, including psychiatrists, or medical students who are currently participating in the scholarship program and who commit to practice in underserved areas of the state. The Virginia Department of Health will continue to grant scholarships to those medical students participating in the scholarship program for academic year 2002-2003, until their eligibility runs out. The agency will move towards a total loan repayment focused incentive program. The three state medical schools shall fully match all state funds for scholarships awarded to current scholarship recipients. Any unexpended and repaid money due to default shall revert to the pool of funding for financial incentives to recruit physicians, including psychiatrists. All financial aid shall be awarded in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Health. The Department shall maintain an accounting of the numbers and amount of the awards made each year, and the specialties of the physicians receiving the awards.


B. Out of this appropriation, $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second year is provided from the general fund for five nurse practitioner scholarships pursuant to § 32.1-122.6:02, Code of Virginia.


C. Out of this appropriation, $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second year shall be provided from the general fund for scholarships for dental students and loan repayments for dentists. The Department is authorized to use these funds to award either a scholarship or a loan repayment, depending on the needs of the individual dental student or dentist being recruited to a dental underserved area of the Commonwealth. All scholarships or loan repayments shall be awarded in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Health. The Department shall maintain an accounting of the number and amount of the scholarship and loan repayment awards made each year.


D. Out of this appropriation, $200,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for scholarships and loan repayments for nursing students pursuing an advanced degree towards becoming nursing faculty at the college level. Priority shall be given to master's degree candidates who will teach in community colleges.