View all text of Subchapter V [§ 3071 - § 3079b]
§ 3077. Education loan repayment program
(a) Authority to repay education loans
For the purpose of maintaining adequate numbers of officers of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration on active duty who have skills required by the commissioned officer corps, the Secretary may repay, in the case of a person described in subsection (b), a loan that—
(1) was used by the person to finance education; and
(2) was obtained from a governmental entity, private financial institution, educational institution, or other authorized entity.
(b) Eligible persons
To be eligible to obtain a loan repayment under this section, a person must—
(1) satisfy one of the requirements specified in subsection (c);
(2) be fully qualified for, or hold, an appointment as a commissioned officer in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration; and
(3) sign a written agreement to serve on active duty, or, if on active duty, to remain on active duty for a period in addition to any other incurred active duty obligation.
(c) Academic and professional requirements
One of the following academic requirements must be satisfied for purposes of determining the eligibility of an individual for a loan repayment under this section:
(1) The person is fully qualified in a profession that the Secretary has determined to be necessary to meet identified skill shortages in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration.
(2) The person is enrolled as a full-time student in the final year of a course of study at an accredited educational institution (as determined by the Secretary of Education) leading to a degree in a profession that will meet identified skill shortages in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration.
(d) Loan repayments
(1) In general
(2) Limitation on amount
(e) Active duty service obligation
(1) In general
(2) Length of obligation determined under regulations
(A) In general
(B) Minimum obligation
(3) Persons on active duty before entering into agreement
(4) Concurrent completion of service obligations
(f) Effect of failure to complete obligation
(1) Alternative obligations
(2) Repayment
(g) Rulemaking
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, including—
(1) standards for qualified loans and authorized payees; and
(2) other terms and conditions for the making of loan repayments.
(Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 267, as added Pub. L. 116–259, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1160.)