(a) The department of education shall, subject to available funds, administer an occupational educator scholarship program for prospective educators seeking a Tennessee occupational teaching license.

(b) To be eligible for an occupational educator scholarship, a prospective educator, in accordance with the rules promulgated under subsection (c), must:

(1) Be a Tennessee resident for one (1) year immediately preceding the date of application for a scholarship;

(2) Apply for an occupational educator scholarship;

(3) Be admitted to an eligible educator preparation program;

(4) Agree to teach occupational career and technical education courses in a Tennessee public school for a specified time; and

(5) Agree to repay the scholarship according to a repayment schedule if the prospective educator does not fulfill the requirements of subdivision (b)(4), unless it is impossible for the prospective educator to fulfill the requirements of subdivision (b)(4) because of the prospective educator's death or permanent disability.

(c) The department shall recommend, and the state board of education shall promulgate, rules for the administration and management of the occupational educator scholarship program. The rules must establish the maximum aggregate amount of the scholarship and the eligibility requirements for receiving and maintaining a scholarship under this section. The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.