Section 580.220  Grant Awards

a)         For each year that a qualified applicant who is selected as a grantee practices full time in this State in a designated shortage area as a dentist or dental specialist, the Department shall, subject to appropriation, award a grant to that person in an amount equal to the amount in educational loans that the person must repay that year. However, the total amount in grants that a person may be awarded under the program must not exceed $25,000 per year for a 4-year period. The Department shall require recipients to use the grants to pay off their educational loans. (Section 30(a) of the Act)

b)         The initial grant awarded to a dentist or dental specialist under the Act shall be for a 2-year period.  Based on the successful completion of the initial 2-year grant, the grantees may be awarded up to 2 subsequent one-year grants.  Grantees are eligible to receive grant funds for no more than a 4-year period.  Previous grant recipients shall be given priority for years 3 and 4 grant funding, provided that the grantee continues to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 25 of the Act and Section 580.210.  Grantees shall practice full time in a designated shortage area for the period of each grant awarded.  (Section 30(c) of the Act)

c)         The Department shall award grants to otherwise eligible dental applicants by using the following criteria:

1)         Dental specialist willing to practice in any designated shortage area.

2)         Dentist willing to practice in a designated shortage area with the highest Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) score.

3)         Dentist willing to practice in a designated shortage area with the highest HPSA score and agreeing to allocate the highest percentage of patient appointments to those that are covered by Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act, or the Children's Health Insurance Program Act.  (Section 30(e) of the Act)

d)         Grants will be awarded in the order listed in subsection (c).  Dental specialists shall be the first group to receive funding.  Once dental specialists are funded (or if no dental specialists apply) and if remaining funds allow, dentists who fulfill the requirements of subsection (c)(2) will receive funding.  If there are more dentists applying for assistance than available funds, the Department shall award funding to dentists who fulfill the requirements of subsection (c)(3).

e)         For each year that a qualified applicant who is selected as a grantee practices full time in this State in an HPSA as a dental hygienist, the Department shall, subject to appropriation, award a grant to that person in an amount equal to the amount in educational loans that the person must repay that year.  However, the total amount in grants that a dental hygienist may be awarded under the program shall not exceed $5,000 per year for a two-year period.  The Department shall require a recipient to use the grants to pay off his or her  educational loans.  (Section 30(c) of the Act)

f)         Funds received from the Department shall be used for the repayment of educational loans, including principal, interest and related expenses of government and commercial loans and used for tuition expenses while attending a registered professional dental education program.

g)         The Department will award loan repayment grants to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of Section 580.210.  For dental specialists and dentists, awards will be made in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c).  For dental hygienists, awards will be made once all awards to dental specialists and dentists are complete and if funds are available.  If the amount of funding received for the program in a fiscal year is insufficient to award grants to all qualified dental hygienist applicants, the loan repayment grants shall be prorated to all dental hygienist grantees.  If funds remain available after all loan repayment awards have been made, subsequent applications will be evaluated individually as received.

h)         Payments shall be made on a quarterly basis to grantees following the completion of each three-month period of compliance with the terms of the grant agreement.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 2313, effective January 27, 2012)