§7682. Eligibility

(a) Eligibility.-An individual is eligible to participate in the Education Debt Reduction Program if the individual-

(1) is a recently appointed employee in the Veterans Health Administration serving under an appointment under section 7402(b) of this title in a position for which recruitment or retention of qualified health-care personnel (as determined by the Secretary) 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).

(b) Covered Costs.-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.

(c) Recently Appointed Individuals.-For purposes of subsection (a), an individual shall be considered to be recently appointed to a position if the individual has held that position for less than 6 months.

(Added Pub. L. 105–368, title VIII, §803(a), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3357 .)

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 7683 of this title.