(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), if a program participant fails to complete a minimum of four consecutive school years of classroom instruction on a full-time basis or the equivalent on a part-time basis as required by this article, under the terms of the agreement pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 69613, the participant shall retain full liability for all student loan obligations remaining after the commission’s assumption of loan liability for the last year of qualifying teaching service pursuant to Section 69613.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if a program participant becomes unable to complete one of the four consecutive years of teaching service on a full-time basis or the equivalent on a part-time basis due to serious illness, pregnancy, or other natural causes, or is called to active military duty status, the participant shall receive a deferral of the resumption of full liability for the loan for a period not to exceed one calendar year, unless approved by the commission for a longer period. The commission shall make no further payments under the loan assumption agreement until the applicable teaching requirements specified in Section 69613.2 have been specified.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a program participant shall receive a deferral of the resumption of full liability for the loan for a period not to exceed one calendar year, unless approved by the commission for a longer period, if the participant becomes unable to complete one of the four consecutive years of teaching service due to being laid off, reassigned, or other reasons beyond the control of the participant, as determined by the commission.

(2) The commission shall make no further payments under the loan assumption agreement until the applicable teaching requirements specified in Section 69613.2 have been satisfied.

(d) If a program participant fails to redeem an agreement for student loan assumption within 10 years of the agreement’s issuance, the participant shall retain full liability for all student loan obligations.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 187, Sec. 3. (SB 511) Effective January 1, 2010.)