§ 39. Vermont Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Forgivable Loan Incentive Program
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Corporation” means the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation established in 16 V.S.A. § 2821.
(2) “Eligible individual” means an individual who satisfies the eligibility requirements
under this section for a forgivable loan.
(3) “Eligible school” means an approved postsecondary education institution, as defined
under 16 V.S.A. § 2822.
(4) “Forgivable loan” means a loan awarded under this section covering tuition, which
may also cover room, board, and the cost of required books and supplies for up to
full-time attendance at an eligible school.
(5) “Program” means the Vermont Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Forgivable
Loan Incentive Program created under this section.
(b) The Vermont Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Forgivable Loan Incentive
Program is created and shall be administered by the Corporation in collaboration with
the Department of Health. The Program provides forgivable loans to students enrolled
in a master’s program at an eligible school who commit to working as a psychiatric
mental health nurse practitioner in this State and who meet the eligibility requirements
in subsection (d) of this section.
(c) The Corporation shall disburse forgivable loan funds under the Program on behalf of
eligible individuals, subject to the appropriation of funds by the General Assembly
for this purpose.
(d) To be eligible for a forgivable loan under the Program, an individual, whether a resident
or nonresident, shall satisfy all of the following requirements:
(1) be enrolled at an eligible school in a program, whether through in- person or remote
instruction, that leads to a master’s degree or specialty in psychiatric mental health;
(2) maintain good standing at the eligible school at which the individual is enrolled;
(3) agree to work as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Vermont for a minimum
of one year following licensure for each year of forgivable loan awarded;
(4) have executed a credit agreement or promissory note that will reduce the individual’s
forgivable loan benefit, in whole or in part, pursuant to subsection (e) of this section,
if the individual fails to complete the period of service required in subdivision
(3) of this subsection;
(5) have completed the Program’s application form and such financial aid forms as the
Corporation deems necessary, in accordance with a schedule determined by the Corporation;
and
(6) have provided such other documentation as the Corporation may require.
(e) If an eligible individual fails to serve as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
in this State in compliance with the Program for a period that would entitle the individual
to the full forgivable loan benefit received by the individual, other than for good
cause as determined by the Corporation in consultation with the Vermont Department
of Health, then the individual shall receive only partial loan forgiveness for a pro
rata portion of the loan pursuant to the terms of the interest-free reimbursement
promissory note signed by the individual at the time of entering the Program.
(f) The Corporation shall adopt policies, procedures, and guidelines necessary to implement
the provisions of this section, including maximum forgivable loan amounts.
(g) Forgivable loans shall be awarded on a rolling basis, provided funds are available,
and any funds remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall carry forward and shall
be available to the Department of Health and the Corporation in the following fiscal
year to award additional forgivable loans as set forth in this section. (Added 2023, No. 78, § F.3, eff. July 1, 2023; amended 2023, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § E.311, eff. July 1, 2024.)