Section 30. Conditions of scholarships

A. Prior to becoming a participant in the nursing scholarship program, the applicant shall enter into a contract with the commissioner agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the scholarship is granted.

B. For each $2,000 of scholarship money received, the participant agrees to engage in the equivalent of one year of full-time nursing practice in a long-term care facility in the Commonwealth. The participant shall notify the department, within 180 days of being awarded a nursing diploma or degree, of the type of nursing practice to be performed and give the name and address of the employer for approval. Voluntary military service, even if stationed in Virginia, cannot be used to repay the service obligation required when a scholarship is awarded.

The participant may request approval of a change of practice site. Such requests shall be made in writing. The department in its discretion may approve such a request.

C. If a participant fails to complete his studies, the full amount of the scholarship or scholarships received, plus applicable interest charge, must be repaid.

D. If upon graduation a participant leaves the Commonwealth or fails to engage or ceases to engage in nursing practice in a long-term care facility in Virginia before all employment conditions of the scholarship award are fulfilled, the participant shall repay the award amount reduced by the proportion of obligated years served plus applicable interest and penalty.

E. If the participant is in default due to death or permanent disability so as not to be able to engage in nursing practice in a long-term care facility, the participant or his personal representative may be relieved of his obligation under the contract to engage in nursing practice upon repayment of the total amount of scholarship or loan repayment funds received plus applicable interest. For participants completing part of the nursing obligation prior to becoming permanently disabled or in the event of death, the total amount of scholarship or loan repayment funds owed shall be reduced by the proportion of obligated years served. The obligation to make restitution may be waived by the board upon application of the participant or the participant's personal representative to the board.

F. Individual cases may be considered by the board for a variance of payment or service, pursuant to § 32.1-12 of the Code of Virginia, if the board finds compliance with the applicable service requirements or default repayment would pose an undue hardship on the participant.

G. All default payments shall be made payable to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 21, eff. July 13, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12, 32.1-122.6:01 and 54.1-3011.2 of the Code of Virginia.