{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-122.9.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-122.9.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-122.9.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-122.9.html"}],"law_id":70452,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70452,"structure_id":15321,"section_number":"32.1-122.9","catch_line":"Conditional grants for certain dental students","history":"1994, c. 867; 2000, c. 926; 2001, c. 188; 2002, c. 52.","full_text":"A\n\nWith such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health shall establish annual dental scholarships for students in good standing at Virginia Commonwealth University. 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.\n\t\t\tThe governing board of Virginia Commonwealth University shall submit to the Commissioner the names of those eligible applicants who are most qualified as determined by the regulations of the Board for these dental scholarships. The Commissioner shall award the scholarships to the applicants whose names are submitted by the governing board.B\n\nThe Board, after consultation with the School of Dentistry of Virginia Commonwealth University, shall promulgate regulations to administer this scholarship program which shall include, but not be limited to: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 recipients participate in the Commonwealth’s medical assistance services program, established pursuant to § 32.1-325, and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan, established pursuant to § 32.1-351, and that recipients do not limit the number of persons enrolled in these programs who are admitted to their dental practice;4\n\nAssurances that bona fide residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502, students of economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residents of underserved areas are given preference over nonresidents in determining scholarship eligibility and awards;5\n\nAssurances that scholarship recipients will begin dental practice 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 dental school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in dental 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 dental schools.C\n\nPrior to the award of any scholarship, the applicant shall sign a contract in which he agrees to pursue the dental course of Virginia Commonwealth University until his graduation and, upon graduation or upon completing a term not to exceed four years as an intern or resident at an approved institution or facility, to promptly begin and thereafter engage continuously in dental 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 dental practice such as military service or public health service may be substituted for the obligation to practice 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 dentists 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 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 dental 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 dental 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 dentistry, the recipient or his estate may, upon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligation under the contract to engage in dental 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 dentistry 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, 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 dentistry, 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 attorneys’ fees incurred by the Commonwealth in such collection.H\n\nFor purposes of this section, the term “underserved area” shall include those underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5 and dental health professional shortage areas designated in accordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":254223,"text":"With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health shall establish annual dental scholarships for students in good standing at Virginia Commonwealth University. 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.\n\t\t\tThe governing board of Virginia Commonwealth University shall submit to the Commissioner the names of those eligible applicants who are most qualified as determined by the regulations of the Board for these dental scholarships. The Commissioner shall award the scholarships to the applicants whose names are submitted by the governing board.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":254224,"text":"The Board, after consultation with the School of Dentistry of Virginia Commonwealth University, shall promulgate regulations to administer this scholarship program which shall include, but not be limited to:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":254225,"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":254226,"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":254227,"text":"Standards to assure that recipients participate in the Commonwealth’s medical assistance services program, established pursuant to § 32.1-325, and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan, established pursuant to § 32.1-351, and that recipients do not limit the number of persons enrolled in these programs who are admitted to their dental practice;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":254228,"text":"Assurances that bona fide residents of Virginia, as determined by § 23.1-502, students of economically disadvantaged backgrounds and residents of 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":254229,"text":"Assurances that scholarship recipients will begin dental practice 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":254230,"text":"Methods for reimbursement of the Commonwealth by recipients who fail to complete dental school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in dental 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":254231,"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":254232,"text":"Reporting of data related to the recipients of the scholarships by the dental schools.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"C"},"10":{"id":254233,"text":"Prior to the award of any scholarship, the applicant shall sign a contract in which he agrees to pursue the dental course of Virginia Commonwealth University until his graduation and, upon graduation or upon completing a term not to exceed four years as an intern or resident at an approved institution or facility, to promptly begin and thereafter engage continuously in dental 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 dental practice such as military service or public health service may be substituted for the obligation to practice 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 dentists 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 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 dental 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":254234,"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 dental 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":254235,"text":"In the event the recipient dies or becomes permanently disabled so as not to be able to engage in the practice of dentistry, the recipient or his estate may, upon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligation under the contract to engage in dental 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":254236,"text":"Except as provided in subsections D and E, any recipient of a scholarship who fails or refuses to fulfill his obligation to practice dentistry 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, 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":254237,"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 dentistry, 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 attorneys’ 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":254238,"text":"For purposes of this section, the term “underserved area” shall include those underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to § 32.1-122.5 and dental 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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-122.9\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 867<\/a> 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. It has been modified 3 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 2000, chapter 926<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 188<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 52<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"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\/"},{"id":77747,"section_number":"32.1-325","catch_line":"Board to submit plan for medical assistance services to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to federal law; administration of plan; contracts with health care providers","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-325\/"},{"id":86147,"section_number":"32.1-351","catch_line":"Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan established","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-351\/"}],"permalink":{"id":202805,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70452,"identifier":"32.1-122.9","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.9","url":"\/32.1-122.9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-122.9\/","token":"32.1\/4\/6\/32.1-122.9","dublin_core":{"Title":"Conditional grants for certain dental students","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-122.9","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 dental scholarships for students in good standing at Virginia Commonwealth University. 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.\n\t\t\tThe governing board<\/span> of Virginia Commonwealth University shall submit to the Commissioner<\/span> the names of those eligible applicants who are most qualified as determined by the regulations of the Board<\/span> for these dental scholarships. The Commissioner<\/span> shall award the scholarships to the applicants whose names are submitted by the governing board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board<\/span>, after consultation with the School of Dentistry of Virginia Commonwealth University, shall promulgate regulations to administer this scholarship program which shall include, but not be limited to: <\/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 recipients participate in the Commonwealth’s medical assistance services program, established pursuant to § 32.1-325<\/a>, and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan, established pursuant to § 32.1-351<\/a>, and that recipients do not limit the number of persons<\/span> enrolled in these programs who are admitted to their dental practice; <\/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 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 dental practice 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 dental school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in dental 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 dental 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 pursue the dental course of Virginia Commonwealth University until his graduation and, upon graduation or upon completing a term not to exceed four years as an intern or resident at an approved institution or facility, to promptly begin and thereafter engage continuously in dental 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 dental practice such as military service or public health service may be substituted for the obligation to practice 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 dentists 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> 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 dental 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 dental 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 dentistry, the recipient or his estate may, upon certification of the Commissioner<\/span>, be relieved of the obligation under the contract<\/span> to engage in dental 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 dentistry 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>, 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 dentistry, 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 attorneys’ 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>” shall include those underserved areas<\/span> designated by the Board<\/span> pursuant to § 32.1-122.5<\/a> and dental 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 DENTAL STUDENTS (\u00a7 32.1-122.9)\n\nA. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board of Health\nshall establish annual dental scholarships for students in good standing at\nVirginia Commonwealth University. No recipient shall be awarded more than five\nscholarships. The amount and number of such scholarships shall be determined\nannually as provided in the appropriation act. The Commissioner shall act as\nfiscal agent for the Board in administration of the scholarship funds.\n\t\t\tThe governing board of Virginia Commonwealth University shall submit to the\nCommissioner the names of those eligible applicants who are most qualified as\ndetermined by the regulations of the Board for these dental scholarships. The\nCommissioner shall award the scholarships to the applicants whose names are\nsubmitted by the governing board.\n\nB. The Board, after consultation with the School of Dentistry of Virginia\nCommonwealth University, shall promulgate regulations to administer this\nscholarship program which shall include, but not be limited to:\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 recipients participate in the Commonwealth’s\n medical assistance services program, established pursuant to § 32.1-325,\n and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan, established pursuant\n to § 32.1-351, and that recipients do not limit the number of persons\n enrolled in these programs who are admitted to their dental practice;\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 underserved areas are given preference over nonresidents in determining\n scholarship eligibility and awards;\n\n 5. Assurances that scholarship recipients will begin dental practice in an\n underserved area of the Commonwealth within two years following completion of\n their residencies;\n\n 6. Methods for reimbursement of the Commonwealth by recipients who fail to\n complete dental school or who fail to honor the obligation to engage in dental\n practice for a period of years equal to the number of annual scholarships\n 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 dental schools.\n\nC. Prior to the award of any scholarship, the applicant shall sign a contract in\nwhich he agrees to pursue the dental course of Virginia Commonwealth University\nuntil his graduation and, upon graduation or upon completing a term not to\nexceed four years as an intern or resident at an approved institution or\nfacility, to promptly begin and thereafter engage continuously in dental\npractice in an underserved area in Virginia for a period of years equal to the\nnumber of annual scholarships received. The contract shall specify that no form\nof dental practice such as military service or public health service may be\nsubstituted for the obligation to practice in an underserved area in the\nCommonwealth.\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\ndentists 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 for the requisite number of years. The\ncontract shall include other provisions as considered necessary by the Attorney\nGeneral and the Commissioner.\n\t\t\tThe contract may be terminated by the recipient while the recipient is\nenrolled in dental 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 dental 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 dentistry, the recipient or his estate may,\nupon certification of the Commissioner, be relieved of the obligation under the\ncontract to engage in dental 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 dentistry in an\nunderserved area for a period of years equal to the number of annual\nscholarships received shall reimburse the Commonwealth three times the total\namount of the scholarship funds received plus interest at the prevailing bank\nrate for similar amounts of unsecured debt. If the recipient has fulfilled part\nof his contractual obligations by serving in an underserved area, the total\namount of the scholarship funds received shall be reduced by the amount of the\nannual scholarship multiplied by the 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 dentistry, 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\nattorneys’ fees incurred by the Commonwealth in such collection.\n\nH. For purposes of this section, the term “underserved area” shall\ninclude those underserved areas designated by the Board pursuant to §\n32.1-122.5 and dental health professional shortage areas designated in\naccordance with the criteria established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, c. 867; 2000, c. 926; 2001, c. 188; 2002, c. 52.","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}}