Section 590.234  Deferment of Service Obligation

A request to defer a scholarship recipient's service obligation shall be submitted in writing to the Department and must conform to the requirements of subsection (a) or (b).  The request shall detail the reasons for the deferment and be accompanied and supported by the documentation described in this Section.  The Department may grant one deferment per recipient.

a)         A deferment will be granted for up to 12 months if the recipient provides documentation of a physical or mental health disability that results in the recipient's temporary inability to fulfill the service obligation.  Documentation shall include an explanation from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the United States attesting to the recipient's temporary inability to fulfill the service obligation.

b)         A recipient who is a military reservist and is called to active duty by the armed forces of the United States will be granted a deferment beginning on the activation date in the active duty order.  The recipient shall submit a copy of the order to active duty with the written request for deferment.  The duration of the deferment shall equal the recipient's period of active military duty.

c)         A recipient who receives a deferment shall have his or her service obligation tolled.  The tolling of this requirement shall equal the recipient's period of deferment.

d)         A recipient who does not request a deferment and who does not fulfill the service obligation shall be required to repay to the Department all scholarship monies received.

(Source:  Added at 44 Ill. Reg. 20074, effective December 9, 2020)