33-3720. PROFESSIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM. (1) It is hereby declared that it is in the public interest to assist Idaho citizens who wish to pursue professional studies in the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and other health-related areas of study which are not available within the state by (a) entering into compacts or contractual agreements which make such courses of study available to Idaho citizens, and (b) providing a mechanism to provide funds for such Idaho citizens.

(2) The state board of education is hereby authorized to enter into loan agreements with qualified recipients to participate in qualified programs, which agreements shall include provisions for repayment of the loan on terms agreed to by the board and the qualified recipient; such repayment agreements may include provisions for decreasing or delaying or forgiving the repayment obligation in relationship to the recipient’s course of study or agreement to return to Idaho to practice professionally.

(a) A qualified recipient shall be any Idaho student accepted into a qualified program who meets the residency requirements imposed by section 33-3717B, Idaho Code, and the rules of the state board of education.

(b) A qualified program shall be a program enumerated in section 33-3717B(7), Idaho Code, and any other medical, dental, veterinary medicine, or other health-related program in which participation by Idaho residents has been authorized by the legislature and for which funds have been obligated by the board pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(3) The state board of education is hereby authorized to transfer, distribute or pay such moneys as are available in the professional studies account to the school, program, or compact providing the course of study pursuant to contracts, agreements, or compacts entered into by the legislature or the state board of education.

(4) The state board of education is hereby authorized to adopt all necessary rules, subject to the provisions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, for the administration of the professional studies program.

History:

[33-3720, added 1983, ch. 182, sec. 1, p. 495; am. 2005, ch. 210, sec. 6, p. 630.]