An individual is eligible to participate in the Education Debt Reduction Program if the individual—
(1) is an employee in the Veterans Health Administration serving in a position (as determined by the Secretary) providing direct-patient care services or services incident to direct-patient care services for which recruitment or retention of qualified health-care personnel (as so determined) is difficult; and
(2) owes any amount of principal or interest under a loan, the proceeds of which were used by or on behalf of that individual to pay costs relating to a course of education or training which led to a degree that qualified the individual for the position referred to in paragraph (1).
For purposes of subsection (a)(2), costs relating to a course of education or training include—
(1) tuition expenses;
(2) all other reasonable educational expenses, including expenses for fees, books, and laboratory expenses; and
(3) reasonable living expenses.
(Added Pub. L. 105–368, title VIII, § 803(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3357; amended Pub. L. 107–135, title I, § 102(b), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2448; Pub. L. 111–163, title III, § 301(b), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1146.)