(a) An individual who receives a loan under this subchapter shall execute a written loan contract with the Department of Higher Education for the repayment of the loan as provided in this subchapter.
(b) A loan contract executed under subsection (a) of this section shall provide that the total amount of the loans awarded to the individual under this subchapter, plus accrued interest, shall be forgiven at the rate of twenty percent (20%) per year for each year that the individual teaches in a school or school district located in a geographic area identified by the Department of Education under § 6-15-403 [repealed] as a critical teacher shortage area.