{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-122.6.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-122.6.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-122.6.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-122.6.html"}],"law_id":80212,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80212,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain medical students","history":"1990, cc. 874, 877; 1991, c. 134; 1994, cc. 281, 867; 2000, c. 926; 2001, c. 188; 2002, cc. 87, 478; 2015, c. 532.","full_text":"A\n\nWith such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health shall establish annual medical scholarships for students who intend to enter the designated specialties of family practice medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics\/gynecology and who are in good standing at a medical school in the United States that has received accreditation or provisional accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association. No recipient shall be awarded more than five scholarships. The amount and number of such scholarships shall be determined annually as provided in the appropriation act. The Commissioner shall act as fiscal agent for the Board in administration of the scholarship funds.B\n\nThe Board shall promulgate regulations to administer this scholarship program that shall include:1\n\nQualifications of applicants;2\n\nCriteria for award of the scholarships to assure that recipients will fulfill the practice obligations established in this section;3\n\nStandards to assure that these scholarships increase access to primary health care for individuals who are indigent or who are recipients of public assistance;4\n\nAssurances that bona fide residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502, students of economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residents of medically underserved areas are given preference over nonresidents in determining scholarship eligibility and awards;5\n\nAssurances that scholarship recipients will begin medical practice in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area of the Commonwealth within two years following completion of their residencies;6\n\nMethods for reimbursement of the Commonwealth by recipients who fail to complete medical school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in medical practice for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received;7\n\nProcedures for reimbursing any recipient who has repaid the Commonwealth for part or all of any scholarship and who later fulfills the terms of his contract; and8\n\nReporting of data related to the recipients of the scholarships by the medical schools.C\n\nPrior to the award of any scholarship, the applicant shall sign a contract in which he agrees to engage continuously in one of the designated specialties of medical practice in an underserved area in Virginia for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received. The contract shall specify that no form of medical practice such as military service or public health service may be substituted for the obligation to practice in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe contract shall provide that the applicant will not voluntarily obligate himself for more than the minimum period of military service required for physicians by the laws of the United States and that, upon completion of this minimum period of obligatory military service, the applicant will promptly begin to practice in an underserved area in one of the designated specialties for the requisite number of years. The contract shall include other provisions as considered necessary by the Attorney General and the Commissioner.\n\t\t\tThe contract may be terminated by the recipient while the recipient is enrolled in medical school upon providing notice and immediate repayment of the total amount of scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt.D\n\nIn the event the recipient fails to maintain a satisfactory scholastic standing, the recipient may, upon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligations under the contract to engage in medical practice in an underserved area upon repayment to the Commonwealth of the total amount of scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt.E\n\nIn the event the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled so as not to be able to engage in the practice of medicine, the recipient or his estate may, upon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligation under the contract to engage in medical practice in an underserved area upon repayment to the Commonwealth of the total amount of scholarship funds plus interest on such amount computed at eight percent per annum from the date of receipt of scholarship funds. This obligation may be waived in whole or in part by the Commissioner in his discretion upon application by the recipient or his estate to the Commissioner with proof of hardship or inability to pay.F\n\nExcept as provided in subsections D and E, any recipient of a scholarship who fails or refuses to fulfill his obligation to practice medicine in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received shall reimburse the Commonwealth three times the total amount of the scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt. If the recipient has fulfilled part of his contractual obligations by serving in an underserved area in one of the designated specialties, the total amount of the scholarship funds received shall be reduced by the amount of the annual scholarship multiplied by the number of years served.G\n\nThe Commissioner shall collect all repayments required by this section and may establish a schedule of payments for reimbursement consistent with the regulations of the Board. No schedule of payments shall amortize the total amount due for a period of longer than two years following the completion of the recipient’s postgraduate training or the recipient’s entrance into the full-time practice of medicine, whichever is later. All such funds, including any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund. If any recipient fails to make any payment when and as due, the Commissioner shall notify the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall take such action as he deems proper. In the event court action is required to collect a delinquent scholarship account, the recipient shall be responsible for the court costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Commonwealth in such collection.H\n\nFor purposes of this section, the term “underserved area” includes those medically underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5 and health professional shortage areas designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":287130,"text":"With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health shall establish annual medical scholarships for students who intend to enter the designated specialties of family practice medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics\/gynecology and who are in good standing at a medical school in the United States that has received accreditation or provisional accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association. No recipient shall be awarded more than five scholarships. The amount and number of such scholarships shall be determined annually as provided in the appropriation act. The Commissioner shall act as fiscal agent for the Board in administration of the scholarship funds.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":287131,"text":"The Board shall promulgate regulations to administer this scholarship program that shall include:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":287132,"text":"Qualifications of applicants;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":287133,"text":"Criteria for award of the scholarships to assure that recipients will fulfill the practice obligations established in this section;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":287134,"text":"Standards to assure that these scholarships increase access to primary health care for individuals who are indigent or who are recipients of public assistance;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":287135,"text":"Assurances that bona fide residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502, students of economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residents of medically underserved areas are given preference over nonresidents in determining scholarship eligibility and awards;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":287136,"text":"Assurances that scholarship recipients will begin medical practice in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area of the Commonwealth within two years following completion of their residencies;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":287137,"text":"Methods for reimbursement of the Commonwealth by recipients who fail to complete medical school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in medical practice for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":287138,"text":"Procedures for reimbursing any recipient who has repaid the Commonwealth for part or all of any scholarship and who later fulfills the terms of his contract; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":287139,"text":"Reporting of data related to the recipients of the scholarships by the medical schools.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"C"},"10":{"id":287140,"text":"Prior to the award of any scholarship, the applicant shall sign a contract in which he agrees to engage continuously in one of the designated specialties of medical practice in an underserved area in Virginia for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received. The contract shall specify that no form of medical practice such as military service or public health service may be substituted for the obligation to practice in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe contract shall provide that the applicant will not voluntarily obligate himself for more than the minimum period of military service required for physicians by the laws of the United States and that, upon completion of this minimum period of obligatory military service, the applicant will promptly begin to practice in an underserved area in one of the designated specialties for the requisite number of years. The contract shall include other provisions as considered necessary by the Attorney General and the Commissioner.\n\t\t\tThe contract may be terminated by the recipient while the recipient is enrolled in medical school upon providing notice and immediate repayment of the total amount of scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B8","next_prefix":"D"},"11":{"id":287141,"text":"In the event the recipient fails to maintain a satisfactory scholastic standing, the recipient may, upon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligations under the contract to engage in medical practice in an underserved area upon repayment to the Commonwealth of the total amount of scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"12":{"id":287142,"text":"In the event the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled so as not to be able to engage in the practice of medicine, the recipient or his estate may, upon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligation under the contract to engage in medical practice in an underserved area upon repayment to the Commonwealth of the total amount of scholarship funds plus interest on such amount computed at eight percent per annum from the date of receipt of scholarship funds. This obligation may be waived in whole or in part by the Commissioner in his discretion upon application by the recipient or his estate to the Commissioner with proof of hardship or inability to pay.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"13":{"id":287143,"text":"Except as provided in subsections D and E, any recipient of a scholarship who fails or refuses to fulfill his obligation to practice medicine in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received shall reimburse the Commonwealth three times the total amount of the scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt. If the recipient has fulfilled part of his contractual obligations by serving in an underserved area in one of the designated specialties, the total amount of the scholarship funds received shall be reduced by the amount of the annual scholarship multiplied by the number of years served.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"14":{"id":287144,"text":"The Commissioner shall collect all repayments required by this section and may establish a schedule of payments for reimbursement consistent with the regulations of the Board. No schedule of payments shall amortize the total amount due for a period of longer than two years following the completion of the recipient’s postgraduate training or the recipient’s entrance into the full-time practice of medicine, whichever is later. All such funds, including any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund. If any recipient fails to make any payment when and as due, the Commissioner shall notify the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall take such action as he deems proper. In the event court action is required to collect a delinquent scholarship account, the recipient shall be responsible for the court costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Commonwealth in such collection.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"15":{"id":287145,"text":"For purposes of this section, the term “underserved area” includes those medically underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5 and health professional shortage areas designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15321,"edition_id":1,"name":"Primary Health Care System","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13670,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:56","permalink":{"id":202751,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15321,"identifier":"6","token":"32.1\/4\/6","url":"\/32.1\/4\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13670,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health Care Planning","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12727,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","permalink":{"id":202389,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13670,"identifier":"4","token":"32.1\/4","url":"\/32.1\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12727,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health","identifier":"32.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":201099,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12727,"identifier":"32.1","token":"32.1","url":"\/32.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":58331,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.10","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain dental hygiene students","url":"\/32.1-122.10\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.10","metadata":false},{"id":80347,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.5","catch_line":"Criteria to identify underserved areas","url":"\/32.1-122.5\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.5","metadata":false},{"id":73032,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.5:1","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain medical students","url":"\/32.1-122.5_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.5_1","metadata":false},{"id":80212,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain medical students","url":"\/32.1-122.6\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6","metadata":false},{"id":78009,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6:01","catch_line":"Board of Health to award certain scholarships and loan repayment funds","url":"\/32.1-122.6_01\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6_01","metadata":false},{"id":59180,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6:02","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain advanced practice registered nursing students","url":"\/32.1-122.6_02\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6_02","metadata":false},{"id":85826,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6:03","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain physician assistant students","url":"\/32.1-122.6_03\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6_03","metadata":false},{"id":78970,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6:04","catch_line":"Nurse Loan Repayment Program","url":"\/32.1-122.6_04\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6_04","metadata":false},{"id":59680,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6:1","catch_line":"Physician Loan Repayment Program","url":"\/32.1-122.6_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6_1","metadata":false},{"id":59942,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.7","catch_line":"Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority; purpose","url":"\/32.1-122.7\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.7","metadata":false},{"id":75286,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.7:1","catch_line":"Board of Directors of the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority","url":"\/32.1-122.7_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":67594,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.7:2","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority; exemptions","url":"\/32.1-122.7_2\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.7_2","metadata":false},{"id":80024,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.8","catch_line":"Board's authority to receive and expend funds","url":"\/32.1-122.8\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.8","metadata":false},{"id":70452,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.9","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain dental students","url":"\/32.1-122.9\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.9","metadata":false},{"id":63285,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.9:1","catch_line":"Dentist Loan Repayment Program","url":"\/32.1-122.9_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.9_1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73032,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.5:1","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain medical students","url":"\/32.1-122.5_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.5_1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":78009,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.6:01","catch_line":"Board of Health to award certain scholarships and loan repayment funds","url":"\/32.1-122.6_01\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6_01","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-122.6\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1990. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 874 and 877 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1990 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1991, chapter 134; in 1994, chapters 281<\/a> and 867<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 926<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 188<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 87<\/a> and 478<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 532<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73032,"section_number":"32.1-122.5:1","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain medical students","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-122.5_1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84399,"section_number":"23.1-502","catch_line":"Eligibility for in-state tuition charges; domicile; domiciliary intent","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-502\/"},{"id":80347,"section_number":"32.1-122.5","catch_line":"Criteria to identify underserved areas","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-122.5\/"}],"permalink":{"id":202765,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80212,"identifier":"32.1-122.6","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6","url":"\/32.1-122.6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-122.6\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.6","dublin_core":{"Title":"Conditional grants for certain medical students","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-122.6","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board<\/span> of Health shall establish annual medical scholarships for students who intend to enter the designated specialties of family practice medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics\/gynecology and who are in good standing at a medical school in the United States that has received accreditation or provisional accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association. No recipient shall be awarded more than five scholarships. The amount and number of such scholarships shall be determined annually as provided in the appropriation act. The Commissioner<\/span> shall act as fiscal agent for the Board<\/span> in administration of the scholarship funds. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall promulgate regulations to administer this scholarship program that shall include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Qualifications of applicants; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Criteria for award of the scholarships to assure that recipients will fulfill the practice obligations established in this section; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Standards to assure that these scholarships increase access to primary health care for individuals who are indigent<\/span> or who are recipients of public assistance; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Assurances that bona fide residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502<\/a>, students of economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residents of medically underserved areas<\/span> are given preference over nonresidents in determining scholarship eligibility and awards; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Assurances that scholarship recipients will begin medical practice in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area<\/span> of the Commonwealth within two years following completion of their residencies; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Methods for reimbursement of the Commonwealth by recipients who fail to complete medical school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in medical practice for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Procedures for reimbursing any recipient who has repaid the Commonwealth for part or all of any scholarship and who later fulfills the terms of his contract<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Reporting of data related to the recipients of the scholarships by the medical schools. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Prior to the award of any scholarship, the applicant shall sign a contract<\/span> in which he agrees to engage continuously in one of the designated specialties of medical practice in an underserved area<\/span> in Virginia for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received. The contract<\/span> shall specify that no form of medical practice such as military service or public health service may be substituted for the obligation to practice in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area<\/span> in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe contract<\/span> shall provide that the applicant will not voluntarily obligate himself for more than the minimum period of military service required for physicians by the laws<\/span> of the United States and that, upon completion of this minimum period of obligatory military service, the applicant will promptly begin to practice in an underserved area<\/span> in one of the designated specialties for the requisite number of years. The contract<\/span> shall include other provisions as considered necessary by the Attorney General<\/span> and the Commissioner<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe contract<\/span> may be terminated by the recipient while the recipient is enrolled in medical school upon providing notice and immediate repayment of the total amount of scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In the event the recipient fails to maintain a satisfactory scholastic standing, the recipient may, upon certification of the Commissioner<\/span>, be relieved of the obligations under the contract<\/span> to engage in medical practice in an underserved area<\/span> upon repayment to the Commonwealth of the total amount of scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> In the event the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled so as not to be able to engage in the practice of medicine, the recipient or his estate may, upon certification of the Commissioner<\/span>, be relieved of the obligation under the contract<\/span> to engage in medical practice in an underserved area<\/span> upon repayment to the Commonwealth of the total amount of scholarship funds plus interest on such amount computed at eight percent per annum from the date of receipt of scholarship funds. This obligation may be waived in whole or in part by the Commissioner<\/span> in his discretion upon application by the recipient or his estate to the Commissioner<\/span> with proof of hardship or inability to pay. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Except as provided in subsections D and E, any recipient of a scholarship who fails or refuses to fulfill his obligation to practice medicine in one of the designated specialties in an underserved area<\/span> for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships received shall reimburse the Commonwealth three times the total amount of the scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt. If the recipient has fulfilled part of his contractual obligations by serving in an underserved area<\/span> in one of the designated specialties, the total amount of the scholarship funds received shall be reduced by the amount of the annual scholarship multiplied by the number of years served. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The Commissioner<\/span> shall collect all repayments required by this section and may establish a schedule of payments for reimbursement consistent with the regulations of the Board<\/span>. No schedule of payments shall amortize the total amount due for a period of longer than two years following the completion of the recipient’s postgraduate training or the recipient’s entrance into the full-time practice of medicine, whichever is later. All such funds, including any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund. If any recipient fails to make any payment when and as due, the Commissioner<\/span> shall notify the Attorney General<\/span>. The Attorney General<\/span> shall take such action as he deems proper. In the event court<\/span> action is required to collect a delinquent scholarship account, the recipient shall be responsible for the court<\/span> costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Commonwealth in such collection. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> For purposes of this section, the term “underserved area<\/span>” includes those medically underserved areas<\/span> designated by the Board<\/span> pursuant to § 32.1-122.5<\/a> and health professional shortage areas designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONDITIONAL GRANTS FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL STUDENTS (\u00a7 32.1-122.6)\n\nA. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health\nshall establish annual medical scholarships for students who intend to enter the\ndesignated specialties of family practice medicine, general internal medicine,\npediatrics, and obstetrics\/gynecology and who are in good standing at a medical\nschool in the United States that has received accreditation or provisional\naccreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the Bureau of\nProfessional Education of the American Osteopathic Association. No recipient\nshall be awarded more than five scholarships. The amount and number of such\nscholarships shall be determined annually as provided in the appropriation act.\nThe Commissioner shall act as fiscal agent for the Board in administration of\nthe scholarship funds.\n\nB. The Board shall promulgate regulations to administer this scholarship program\nthat shall include:\n\n 1. Qualifications of applicants;\n\n 2. Criteria for award of the scholarships to assure that recipients will\n fulfill the practice obligations established in this section;\n\n 3. Standards to assure that these scholarships increase access to primary\n health care for individuals who are indigent or who are recipients of public\n assistance;\n\n 4. Assurances that bona fide residents of Virginia, as determined by §\n 23.1-502, students of economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residents of\n medically underserved areas are given preference over nonresidents in\n determining scholarship eligibility and awards;\n\n 5. Assurances that scholarship recipients will begin medical practice in one\n of the designated specialties in an underserved area of the Commonwealth\n within two years following completion of their residencies;\n\n 6. Methods for reimbursement of the Commonwealth by recipients who fail to\n complete medical school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in\n medical practice for a period of years equal to the number of annual\n scholarships received;\n\n 7. Procedures for reimbursing any recipient who has repaid the Commonwealth\n for part or all of any scholarship and who later fulfills the terms of his\n contract; and\n\n 8. Reporting of data related to the recipients of the scholarships by the\n medical schools.\n\nC. Prior to the award of any scholarship, the applicant shall sign a contract in\nwhich he agrees to engage continuously in one of the designated specialties of\nmedical practice in an underserved area in Virginia for a period of years equal\nto the number of annual scholarships received. The contract shall specify that\nno form of medical practice such as military service or public health service\nmay be substituted for the obligation to practice in one of the designated\nspecialties in an underserved area in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\tThe contract shall provide that the applicant will not voluntarily obligate\nhimself for more than the minimum period of military service required for\nphysicians by the laws of the United States and that, upon completion of this\nminimum period of obligatory military service, the applicant will promptly begin\nto practice in an underserved area in one of the designated specialties for the\nrequisite number of years. The contract shall include other provisions as\nconsidered necessary by the Attorney General and the Commissioner.\n\t\t\tThe contract may be terminated by the recipient while the recipient is\nenrolled in medical school upon providing notice and immediate repayment of the\ntotal amount of scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank\nrate for similar amounts of unsecured debt.\n\nD. In the event the recipient fails to maintain a satisfactory scholastic\nstanding, the recipient may, upon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved\nof the obligations under the contract to engage in medical practice in an\nunderserved area upon repayment to the Commonwealth of the total amount of\nscholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank rate for similar\namounts of unsecured debt.\n\nE. In the event the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled so as not to\nbe able to engage in the practice of medicine, the recipient or his estate may,\nupon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligation under the\ncontract to engage in medical practice in an underserved area upon repayment to\nthe Commonwealth of the total amount of scholarship funds plus interest on such\namount computed at eight percent per annum from the date of receipt of\nscholarship funds. This obligation may be waived in whole or in part by the\nCommissioner in his discretion upon application by the recipient or his estate\nto the Commissioner with proof of hardship or inability to pay.\n\nF. Except as provided in subsections D and E, any recipient of a scholarship who\nfails or refuses to fulfill his obligation to practice medicine in one of the\ndesignated specialties in an underserved area for a period of years equal to the\nnumber of annual scholarships received shall reimburse the Commonwealth three\ntimes the total amount of the scholarship funds received plus interest at the\nprevailing bank rate for similar amounts of unsecured debt. If the recipient has\nfulfilled part of his contractual obligations by serving in an underserved area\nin one of the designated specialties, the total amount of the scholarship funds\nreceived shall be reduced by the amount of the annual scholarship multiplied by\nthe number of years served.\n\nG. The Commissioner shall collect all repayments required by this section and\nmay establish a schedule of payments for reimbursement consistent with the\nregulations of the Board. No schedule of payments shall amortize the total\namount due for a period of longer than two years following the completion of the\nrecipient’s postgraduate training or the recipient’s entrance into\nthe full-time practice of medicine, whichever is later. All such funds,\nincluding any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this\nsection and shall not revert to the general fund. If any recipient fails to make\nany payment when and as due, the Commissioner shall notify the Attorney General.\nThe Attorney General shall take such action as he deems proper. In the event\ncourt action is required to collect a delinquent scholarship account, the\nrecipient shall be responsible for the court costs and reasonable attorney fees\nincurred by the Commonwealth in such collection.\n\nH. For purposes of this section, the term “underserved area”\nincludes those medically underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to\n§ 32.1-122.5 and health professional shortage areas designated in\naccordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.\n\nHISTORY: 1990, cc. 874, 877; 1991, c. 134; 1994, cc. 281, 867; 2000, c. 926;\n2001, c. 188; 2002, cc. 87, 478; 2015, c. 532.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}