Section 590.310  Eligibility for Application

a)         To apply for educational loan repayment assistance, the applicant must be an eligible health care provider who:

1)         Is licensed to practice medicine in Illinois under the Medical Practice Act of 1987; or is licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse under the Nurse Practice Act; or is licensed as a Physician Assistant under the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987;

2)         Practices at a medical facility that is located in a designated shortage area in Illinois;

3)         Participates as a provider in the Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program, as appropriate;

4)         Does not have any judgment liens arising from federal debt;

5)         Is not excluded, suspended or disqualified by a federal agency;

6)         Signs a written agreement attesting to accepting repayment of health professional educational loans and to serve for the applicable period of obligated service in a medical facility in a designated shortage area in Illinois; and

7)         Is a U.S. citizen or U.S. national (see 8 U.S.C. 1401, et seq.).

b)         Applicants are ineligible for educational loan repayment assistance if one or more of the following exist:

1)         Breach on a prior service obligation to the federal, State or local government, or other entity (such as the U.S. military), even if the eligible health care provider has satisfied the obligation through service, monetary payment or other means;

2)         Failure to apply previously awarded loan repayment funds to the health care professional's qualifying educational loans; or

3)         Default on any State payment obligation or State income tax liability.

c)         Applicants shall document currently existing educational loan indebtedness to all governmental or commercial lending institutions incurred for educational expenses in pursuit of the applicant's medical degree. Documentation of indebtedness shall include a photocopy or original copy of promissory notes or other evidence of indebtedness, with disclosure of the lending institution or agency, loan amount, loan period, interest rate, and any amounts repaid prior to the date of application.

d)         Applicants shall practice full-time or part-time in a medical facility in a designated shortage area in Illinois.

e)         Eligible health care providers having practice obligations to the National Health Service Corps, the Illinois State Loan Repayment Program, or the Illinois Medical Student Scholarship Program may apply for educational loan repayment after completion of the practice obligation.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 2653, effective January 30, 2024)