--- kind: "section" citation: "33 U.S.C. § 3077" title: "33" title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters" number: "3077" heading: "Education loan repayment program" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/3077" units: - "Chapter 43 — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps" - "Subchapter V — Rights and Benefits" --- # §3077. Education loan repayment program - (a) **Authority to repay education loans—** For the purpose of maintaining adequate numbers of [officers](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) of the commissioned [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) corps of the [Administration](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-7) on [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) who have skills required by the commissioned [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) corps, the [Secretary](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-6) may repay, in the case of a person described in [subsection (b)](#b), a loan that— - (1) was used by the person to finance education; and - (2) was obtained from a governmental entity, private financial institution, educational institution, or other authorized entity. - (b) **Eligible persons—** To be eligible to obtain a loan repayment under this section, a person must— - (1) satisfy one of the requirements specified in [subsection (c)](#c); - (2) be fully qualified for, or hold, an appointment as a commissioned [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) in the commissioned [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) corps of the [Administration](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-7); and - (3) sign a written agreement to serve on [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1), or, if on [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1), to remain on [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) for a period in addition to any other incurred [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) obligation. - (c) **Academic and professional requirements—** One of the following academic requirements must be satisfied for purposes of determining the eligibility of an individual for a loan repayment under this section: - (1) The person is fully qualified in a profession that the [Secretary](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-6) has determined to be necessary to meet identified skill shortages in the commissioned [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) corps of the [Administration](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-7). - (2) The person is enrolled as a full-time student in the final year of a course of study at an accredited educational institution (as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-6) of Education) leading to a degree in a profession that will meet identified skill shortages in the commissioned [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) corps of the [Administration](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-7). - (d) **Loan repayments—** - (1) **In general—** Subject to the limits established under [paragraph (2)](#d-2), a loan repayment under this section may consist of the payment of the principal, interest, and related expenses of a loan obtained by a person described in [subsection (b)](#b). - (2) **Limitation on amount—** For each year of obligated service that a person agrees to serve in an agreement described in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3), the [Secretary](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-6) may pay not more than the amount specified in [section 2173(e)(2) of title 10](/usc/10/2173.md?p=e-2). - (e) **Active duty service obligation—** - (1) **In general—** A person entering into an agreement described in [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3) incurs an [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) service obligation. - (2) **Length of obligation determined under regulations—** - (A) **In general—** Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#e-2-B), the length of the obligation under [paragraph (1)](#e-1) shall be determined under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-6). - (B) **Minimum obligation—** The regulations prescribed under [subparagraph (A)](#e-2-A) may not provide for a period of obligation of less than one year for each maximum annual amount, or portion thereof, paid on behalf of the person for qualified loans. - (3) **Persons on active duty before entering into agreement—** The [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) service obligation of persons on [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) before entering into the agreement shall be served after the conclusion of any other obligation incurred under the agreement. - (4) **Concurrent completion of service obligations—** A service obligation under this section may be completed concurrently with a service obligation under [section 3006 of this title](/usc/33/3006.md). - (f) **Effect of failure to complete obligation—** - (1) **Alternative obligations—** An [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) who is relieved of the [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3)’s [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) obligation under this section before the completion of that obligation may be given any alternative obligation, at the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-6). - (2) **Repayment—** An [officer](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-3) who does not complete the period of [active duty](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-1) specified in the agreement entered into under [subsection (b)(3)](#b-3), or the alternative obligation imposed under [paragraph (1)](#f-1), shall be subject to the repayment provisions under [section 3006 of this title](/usc/33/3006.md). - (g) **Rulemaking—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/3002.md?p=b-6) shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, including— - (1) standards for qualified loans and authorized payees; and - (2) other terms and conditions for the making of loan repayments. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 267, as added Pub. L. 116–259, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 1160.)