Section 580.230  Grant Terms and Obligations

a)         Each dentist, dental specialist, or dental hygienist selected for educational loan repayment shall enter into a written grant agreement with the Department prior to receiving assistance.  The agreement shall contain terms and conditions that ensure compliance with this Part and the laws of the State of Illinois, and enforcement of the agreement.

1)         The grant agreement shall contain, at a minimum, the following:

A)        Identifying information of the grantee, including name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address;

B)        A description of the grant's purpose;

C)        Specific information on how payments to the grantee will be made;

D)        Details on what constitutes permissible expenditure of grant funds;

E)        Financial controls applicable to the grant; and

F)         The time frame within which the grant is valid, including the time frame during which grant funds can be expended.

2)         Grants are effective on the date that a grant agreement is executed between the Department and the grantee.

A)        A grant is valid for the time frame outlined in the grant agreement.

B)        The Department will deem a grant agreement null and void if the grantee does not fulfill the requirements stipulated in the agreement.

C)        Grants are not assignable or transferable.  Any assignment or transfer shall render the grant agreement null and void.

b)         Grantees shall complete service in the HPSA designated in their application.  Grantees who wish to move their practice from the location described in their original application and retain status as a grantee shall receive written approval from the Department prior to relocating and shall relocate to an area that qualifies for the same or a higher HPSA score.  Without prior approval from the Department, time in a practice location will not count toward the grantee's service obligation.

c)         Grants are effective on the date that a grant agreement is executed between the Department and the grantee.

1)         A grant is valid for the time frame outlined in the grant agreement.

2)         The Department will deem a grant agreement null and void if the grantee does not fulfill the requirements stipulated in the grant agreement.

3)         Grants are not assignable or transferable.  Any assignment or transfer shall render the grant agreement null and void.

d)         Every three months from the date the grant agreement is executed, the grantee shall submit a report to the Department that documents compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement.  The report shall contain the following:

1)         The percentage of low income patients served in his or her practice.  Medical assistance reimbursement documentation and practice documentation will be accepted for this purpose.

2)         The amount of money paid for educational loan debt. Documentation shall demonstrate that the amount of money paid is greater than or equal to the amount of money paid by the Department under this program.  Cancelled checks or documentation from the lending institution will be accepted for this purpose.

e)         For dentists and dental specialists, the grant program allows for an initial two-year grant and two additional one-year grants.  Grantees cannot receive grant funds after the four-year time frame has elapsed.  Previous grantees shall receive priority for years three and four of grant funding, provided that:

1)         The grantee successfully completes the initial two-year grant; and

2)         The grantee continues to meet the eligibility requirements stipulated in Section 25 of the Act and Section 580.210.

f)         The grant award for a dental hygienist shall be for a maximum of 2 years.  (Section 30(c) of the Act)

g)         If the grantee is disabled or is otherwise unable for reasons beyond the grantee's control to perform the loan repayment obligations, these obligations shall be suspended until the grantee is able to resume the loan repayment obligations.  However, the suspension shall not exceed two years.

1)         To request a suspension of the loan repayment obligation, a grantee shall submit a suspension request in writing to the Department.  This request shall detail the reason for the suspension and, if temporary, the duration of the suspension and shall be supported by clear and convincing documentation.

2)         The Department shall approve a request for suspension if the request is supported by a letter from the grantee's licensed physician fully explaining and attesting to the grantee's inability (either temporarily or permanently) to continue the loan repayment obligation.

3)         If the Department denies the suspension request, the grantee shall fulfill the loan repayment obligation.

4)         Based on the information contained in the suspension request, the Department's acceptance or denial of the request will be provided in writing, under the Director's signature.

5)         If the grantee suffers total and permanent disability, is adjudicated as incompetent or dies, the grantee shall be discharged from all obligations to the Department in connection with this Part and the Act.

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