---
kind: "range"
citation: "38 U.S.C. §§ 7601–7619"
title: "38"
from: "7601"
to: "7619"
count: 13
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/7601..7619"
---

# §7601. Establishment of program; purpose

- (a) There is hereby established a program to be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the “Educational Assistance Program”). The program consists of—
  - (1) the scholarship program provided for in subchapter II of this chapter;
  - (2) the tuition reimbursement program provided for in subchapter III of this chapter;
  - (3) the Selected [Reserve](/usc/38/101.md?p=26) member stipend program provided for under subchapter V of this chapter;
  - (4) the [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) incentive scholarship program provided for in subchapter VI of this chapter;
  - (5) the education debt reduction program provided for in subchapter VII of this chapter;
  - (6) the specialty education loan repayment program provided for in subchapter VIII of this chapter; and
  - (7) the readjustment counseling service scholarship program provided for in subchapter IX of this chapter.
- (b) The purpose of the Educational Assistance Program is to assist in providing an adequate supply of trained health-care personnel for the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and the Nation.

# §7602. Eligibility

- (a)
  - (1) To be eligible to participate in the Educational Assistance Program under subchapter II, III, VI, or IX of this chapter, an individual must be accepted for enrollment or be currently enrolled as a student at a qualifying [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) in a course of education or training that is approved by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and that leads toward completion of a degree in a field of education or training for which a scholarship may be awarded under subchapter II of this chapter, for which tuition reimbursement may be provided under subchapter III of this chapter, or for which a scholarship may be awarded under subchapter VI or IX of this chapter, as the case may be.
  - (2) A qualifying [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) for purposes of this section is an [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) that is in a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) and that (as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)) is an accredited institution.
- (b) An individual is not eligible to apply to participate in the Educational Assistance Program under subchapter II, III, VI, or IX of this chapter if the individual is obligated under any other Federal program to perform service after completion of the course of education or training of such individual referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) of this section.

# §7603. Application and acceptance

- (a)
  - (1) To apply to participate in the Educational Assistance Program under subchapter II, III, V, VI, VIII, or IX of this chapter, an individual shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) an application for such participation together with an agreement described in [section 7604 of this title](/usc/38/7604.md) under which the participant agrees to serve a period of obligated service in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration as provided in the agreement in return for payment of educational assistance as provided in the agreement.
  - (2) To apply to participate in the Educational Assistance Program under subchapter VII of this chapter, an individual shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) an application for such participation.
- (b)
  - (1) An individual becomes a participant in the Educational Assistance Program upon the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s approval of the individual’s application and the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s acceptance of the agreement (if required).
  - (2) Upon the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s approval of an individual’s participation in the program, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall promptly notify the individual of that approval. Such notice shall be in writing.
- (c)
  - (1) In distributing application forms and agreement forms to individuals desiring to participate in the Educational Assistance Program, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall include with such forms the following:
    - (A) A fair summary of the rights and liabilities of an individual whose application is approved (and whose agreement is accepted) by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), including a clear explanation of the damages to which the United States is entitled if the individual breaches the agreement.
    - (B) A full description of the terms and conditions that apply to participation in the Educational Assistance Program and service in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall make such application forms and other information available to individuals desiring to participate in the Educational Assistance Program on a date sufficiently early to allow such individuals adequate time to prepare and submit such forms.
- (d) In selecting applicants for acceptance in the Educational Assistance Program, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall give priority to the applications of individuals who have previously received educational assistance under the program and have not completed the course of education or training undertaken under such program.

# §7604. Terms of agreement


An agreement between the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and a participant in the Educational Assistance Program shall be in writing, shall be signed by the participant, and shall include the following provisions:

- (1) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s agreement—
  - (A) to provide the participant with educational assistance as authorized in subchapter II, III, V, VI, VIII, or IX of this chapter and specified in the agreement; and
  - (B) to afford the participant the opportunity for employment in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration (subject to the availability of appropriated funds for such purpose and other qualifications established in accordance with [section 7402 of this title](/usc/38/7402.md)).
- (2) The participant’s agreement—
  - (A) to accept such educational assistance;
  - (B) to maintain enrollment and attendance in the course of training until completed;
  - (C) while enrolled in such course, to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined by the [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) offering such course of training under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)); and
  - (D) after completion of the course of training, to serve as a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration as specified in the agreement in accordance with subchapter II, III, V, VI, VIII, or IX of this chapter.
- (3) A provision that any financial obligation of the United States arising out of an agreement entered into under this chapter, and any obligation of the participant which is conditioned on such agreement, is contingent upon funds being appropriated for educational assistance under this chapter.
- (4) A statement of the damages to which the United States is entitled under this chapter for the participant’s breach of the agreement.
- (5) Such other terms as are required to be included in the agreement under subchapter II, III, V, VI, VIII, or IX of this chapter or as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may require consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

# §7611. Authority for program


As part of the Educational Assistance Program, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall carry out a scholarship program under this subchapter. The program shall be known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the “Scholarship Program”).


# §7612. Eligibility; application; agreement

- (a)
  - (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual must be accepted for enrollment or be enrolled (as described in [section 7602 of this title](/usc/38/7602.md)) as a full-time student to be eligible to participate in the Scholarship Program.
  - (2) An individual who is an eligible [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) may be accepted as a participant if accepted for enrollment or enrolled (as described in [section 7602 of this title](/usc/38/7602.md)) for study on less than a full-time but not less than a half-time basis. (Such a participant is hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as a “part-time student”.)
  - (3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection, an eligible [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) is a full-time [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) who is permanently assigned to a [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) health-care facility on the date on which the individual submits the application referred to in [section 7603 of this title](/usc/38/7603.md) and on the date on which the individual becomes a participant in the Scholarship Program.
- (b)
  - (1) A scholarship may be awarded under this subchapter only in a qualifying field of education or training.
  - (2) A qualifying field of education or training for purposes of this subchapter is education or training leading to employment as an appointee under paragraph (1) or (3) of [section 7401 of this title](/usc/38/7401.md).
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may designate additional fields of education or training as qualifying fields of education or training if the education or training leads to employment in a position which would qualify the individual for increased basic [pay](/usc/38/7297.md?p=a-3) under subsection (a)(1) of [section 7455 of this title](/usc/38/7455.md) for personnel described in [subsection (a)(2)(B)](/usc/38/7455.md?p=a-2-B) of such section.
  - (4) Before awarding the initial scholarship in a course of education or training other than medicine or nursing, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall notify the Committees on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s intent to award a scholarship in such course of education or training. The notice shall include a statement of the reasons why the award of scholarships in that course of education or training is necessary to assist in providing the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) with an adequate supply of personnel in the health profession concerned. Any such notice shall be given not less than 60 days before the first such scholarship is awarded.
  - (5) In selecting applicants for the Scholarship Program, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)—
    - (A) shall give priority to applicants who will be entering their final year in a course of training;
    - (B) shall give priority to applicants pursuing a course of education or training toward a career in an occupation for which the Inspector General of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) has, in the most current determination published in the Federal Register pursuant to [section 7412(a) of this title](/usc/38/7412.md?p=a), determined that there is one of the largest staffing shortages throughout the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) with respect to such occupation; and
    - (C) shall ensure an equitable allocation of scholarships to persons enrolled in the second year of a program leading to an associate degree in nursing.
  - (6)
    - (A) Of the scholarships awarded under this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall ensure that not less than 50 scholarships are awarded each year to individuals who are accepted for enrollment or enrolled (as described in [section 7602 of this title](/usc/38/7602.md)) in a [program of education](/usc/38/3101.md?p=4) or training leading to employment as a physician or dentist until such date as the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that the staffing shortage of physicians and dentists in the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) is less than 500.
    - (B) After such date, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall ensure that of the scholarships awarded under this subchapter, a number of scholarships is awarded each year to individuals referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#b-6-A) in an amount equal to not less than ten percent of the staffing shortage of physicians and dentists in the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
    - (C) Notwithstanding [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1), the agreement between the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and a participant in the Scholarship Program who receives a scholarship pursuant to this paragraph shall provide the following:
      - (i) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s agreement to provide the participant with a scholarship under this subchapter for a specified number (from two to four) of school years during which the participant is pursuing a course of education or training leading to employment as a physician or dentist.
      - (ii) The participant’s agreement to serve as a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration for a period of time (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “period of obligated service”) of 18 months for each school year or part thereof for which the participant was provided a scholarship under the Scholarship Program.
    - (D) In providing scholarships pursuant to this paragraph, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may provide a preference for applicants who are [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2).
    - (E) On an annual basis, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall provide to appropriate [educational institutions](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) informational material about the availability of scholarships under this paragraph.
- (c)
  - (1) An agreement between the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and a participant in the Scholarship Program shall (in addition to the requirements set forth in [section 7604 of this title](/usc/38/7604.md)) include the following:
    - (A) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s agreement to provide the participant with a scholarship under this subchapter for a specified number (from one to four) of school years during which the participant is pursuing a course of education or training described in [section 7602 of this title](/usc/38/7602.md).
    - (B) The participant’s agreement to serve as a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration for a period of time (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “period of obligated service”) of one calendar year for each school year or part thereof for which the participant was provided a scholarship under the Scholarship Program, but for not less than two years.
  - (2) In a case in which an extension is granted under [section 7614(3) of this title](/usc/38/7614.md?p=3), the number of years for which a scholarship may be provided under this subchapter shall be the number of school years provided for as a result of the extension.
  - (3) In the case of a participant who is a part-time student—
    - (A) the period of obligated service shall be reduced in accordance with the proportion that the number of credit hours carried by such participant in any such school year bears to the number of credit hours required to be carried by a full-time student in the course of training being pursued by the participant, but in no event to less than one year; and
    - (B) the agreement shall include the participant’s agreement to maintain employment, while enrolled in such course of education or training, as a [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) permanently assigned to a [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) health-care facility.
  - (4) If a participant’s period of obligated service is deferred under [section 7616(b)(3)(A)(i) of this title](/usc/38/7616.md?p=b-3-A-i), the agreement terms under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall provide for the participant to serve any additional period of obligated service that is prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) under [section 7616(b)(4)(B) of this title](/usc/38/7616.md?p=b-4-B).

# §7613. Scholarship

- (a) A scholarship provided to a participant in the Scholarship Program for a school year under the Scholarship Program shall consist of payment of the tuition of the participant for that school year, payment of other reasonable educational expenses (including fees, books, and laboratory expenses) for that school year, and a stipend determined under [subsection (b)](#b) of this section.
- (b) A stipend under this section for a school year shall be payment to the participant of not in excess of $485 per month (adjusted in accordance with [section 7631 of this title](/usc/38/7631.md)) for each of the 12 consecutive months beginning with the first month of the school year, except that a stipend may not be paid to a participant who is a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1). The stipend of a participant who is a part-time student shall be adjusted as provided in sections [7614(1)](/usc/38/7614.md?p=1) and [7614(2)](/usc/38/7614.md?p=2) of this title.
- (c) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may arrange with an [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) in which a participant in the Scholarship Program is enrolled for the payment to the [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) of the amounts of tuition and other reasonable educational expenses described in [subsection (a)](#a) of this section. Such payments may be made without regard to subsections (a) and (b) of [section 3324 of title 31](/usc/31/3324.md).

# §7614. Part-time students


In the case of a participant who is a part-time student—

- (1) the maximum amount of the stipend payable to the participant shall be reduced in accordance with the proportion that the number of credit hours carried by such participant bears to the number of credit hours required to be carried by a full-time student in the course of education or training being pursued by the participant;
- (2) a stipend may not be paid for any month during which the participant is not actually attending the course of training in which the participant is enrolled; and
- (3) the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may extend the period for which a scholarship may be awarded to the participant to a maximum of six school years if the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) determines that the extension would be in the best interest of the United States.

# §7615. Status of participants


Participants in the Scholarship Program shall not by reason of their participation in such program (1) be considered to be [employees](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) of the Federal Government, or (2) be counted against any personnel ceiling affecting the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration.


# §7616. Obligated service

- (a) Each participant in the Scholarship Program shall provide service as a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for the period of obligated service provided in the agreement of the participant entered into under [section 7603 of this title](/usc/38/7603.md). Such service shall be provided in the full-time clinical practice of such participant’s profession or in another health-care position in an assignment or location determined by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
- (b)
  - (1) Not later than 60 days before the participant’s service commencement date, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall notify the participant of that service commencement date. That date is the date for the beginning of the participant’s period of obligated service.
  - (2) As soon as possible after the participant’s service commencement date, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall—
    - (A) in the case of a participant who is not a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration, appoint such participant as such an [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3); and
    - (B) in the case of a participant who is an [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration but is not serving in a position for which such participant’s course of education or training prepared such participant, assign such participant to such a position.
  - (3)
    - (A)
      - (i) In the case of a participant receiving a degree from a school of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry, the participant’s service commencement date is the date upon which the participant becomes licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry, as the case may be, in a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20). However, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may, at the request of such participant, defer such date until the end of the period of time required for the participant to complete an internship or residency or other advanced clinical training. If the participant requests such a deferral, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall notify the participant that such deferral could lead to an additional period of obligated service in accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection.
      - (ii) No such period of internship or residency or other advanced clinical training shall be counted toward satisfying a period of obligated service under this subchapter.
    - (B) In the case of a participant receiving a degree from a school of nursing, the participant’s service commencement date is the later of (i) the participant’s [course completion date](#c-3), or (ii) the date upon which the participant becomes licensed as a registered nurse in a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20).
    - (C) In the case of a participant not covered by subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph, the participant’s service commencement date is the later of (i) the participant’s [course completion date](#c-3), or (ii) the date the participant meets any applicable licensure or certification requirements.
  - (4) A participant whose period of obligated service is deferred under paragraph (3)(A) of this subsection shall be required to undertake internship or residency or other advanced clinical training in an accredited program in an [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) which is an [affiliated institution](/usc/38/7423.md?p=d-1) (as defined in [section 7423(d)(1) of this title](/usc/38/7423.md?p=d-1)) and with respect to which the affiliation agreement provides that all or part of the internship or residency or other advanced clinical training will be undertaken in a [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) health-care facility. Such a participant may, at the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and upon the recommendation of the Under [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for Health, incur an additional period of obligated service—
    - (A) at the rate of one-half of a calendar year for each year of internship or residency or other advanced clinical training (or a proportionate ratio thereof), if the internship, residency, or advanced clinical training is in a medical specialty necessary to meet the health-care requirements of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) (as determined under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)); or
    - (B) at the rate of three-quarters of a calendar year for each year of internship or residency or other advanced clinical training (or a proportionate ratio thereof), if the internship, residency, or advanced clinical training is not in a medical specialty necessary to meet the health-care requirements of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) (as determined under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)).
  - (5) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall by regulation prescribe the service commencement date for participants who were part-time students. Such regulations shall prescribe terms as similar as practicable to the terms set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection.
- (c)
  - (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a participant in the Scholarship Program shall be considered to have begun serving such participant’s period of obligated service—
    - (A) on the date, after such participant’s [course completion date](#c-3), on which such participant (in accordance with [subsection (b)](#b) of this section) is appointed under this chapter as a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration; or
    - (B) if the participant is a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration on such [course completion date](#c-3), on the date thereafter on which such participant is assigned to a position for which such participant’s course of training prepared such participant.
  - (2) A participant in the Scholarship Program who on such participant’s [course completion date](#c-3) is a full-time [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) in the [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) Health Administration serving in a capacity for which such participant’s course of training prepared such participant shall be considered to have begun serving such participant’s period of obligated service on such [course completion date](#c-3).
  - (3) For the purposes of this section, the term “course completion date” means the date on which a participant in the Scholarship Program completes such participant’s course of education or training under the program.

# §7617. Breach of agreement: liability

- (a) A participant in the Scholarship Program (other than a participant described in [subsection (b)](#b) of this section) who fails to accept payment, or instructs the [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) in which the participant is enrolled not to accept payment, in whole or in part, of a scholarship under the agreement entered into under [section 7603 of this title](/usc/38/7603.md) shall be liable to the United States for liquidated damages in the amount of $1,500. Such liability is in addition to any period of obligated service or other obligation or liability under the agreement.
- (b) A participant in the Scholarship Program shall be liable to the United States for the amount which has been paid to or on behalf of the participant under the agreement if any of the following occurs:
  - (1) The participant fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) in which the participant is enrolled (as determined by the [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)).
  - (2) The participant is dismissed from such [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) for disciplinary reasons.
  - (3) The participant voluntarily terminates the course of training in such [educational institution](/usc/38/3002.md?p=8) before the completion of such course of training.
  - (4) In the case of a participant who is enrolled in a program or education or training leading to employment as a physician, the participant fails to successfully complete post-graduate training leading to eligibility for board certification in a specialty.
  - (5) The participant fails to become licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or optometry in a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20), fails to become licensed as a registered nurse in a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20), or fails to meet any applicable licensure requirement in the case of any other health-care personnel who provide either direct patient-care services or services incident to direct patient-care services, during a period of time determined under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
  - (6) In the case of a participant who is a part-time student, the participant fails to maintain employment, while enrolled in the course of training being pursued by such participant, as a [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) [employee](/usc/38/4303.md?p=3) permanently assigned to a [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) health-care facility.

  Liability under this subsection is in lieu of any service obligation arising under the participant’s agreement.

- (c)
  - (1) If a participant in the Scholarship Program breaches the agreement by failing (for any reason) to complete such participant’s period of obligated service, the United States shall be entitled to recover from the participant an amount determined in accordance with the following formula:

  t−s

  A=3Φ A——B

  t

  In such formula:

  - (A) “A” is the amount the United States is entitled to recover.
  - (B) “Φ” is the sum of (i) the amounts paid under this subchapter to or on behalf of the participant, and (ii) the interest on such amounts which would be payable if at the time the amounts were paid they were loans bearing interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the United States.
  - (C) “t” is the total number of months in the participant’s period of obligated service, including any additional period of obligated service in accordance with [section 7616(b)(4) of this title](/usc/38/7616.md?p=b-4).
  - (D) “s” is the number of months of such period served by the participant in accordance with [section 7613 of this title](/usc/38/7613.md).
  - (2) Any amount of damages which the United States is entitled to recover under this section shall be paid to the United States within the one-year period beginning on the date of the breach of the agreement.

# §7618. Additional program requirements

- (a) **Program Modification.—** Notwithstanding any provision of this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall carry out this subchapter after the date of the enactment of this section by modifying the Scholarship Program in such a manner that the program and hiring processes are designed to fully employ Scholarship Program graduates as soon as possible, if not immediately, upon graduation and completion of necessary certifications, and to actively assist and monitor graduates to ensure certifications are obtained in a minimal amount of time following graduation.
- (b) **Clinical Tours.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall require participants in the Scholarship Program to perform clinical tours in assignments or locations determined by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) while the participants are enrolled in the course of education or training for which the scholarship is provided.
- (c) **Mentors.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall ensure that at the commencement of the period of obligated service of a participant in the Scholarship Program, the participant is assigned to a mentor who is employed in the same facility where the participant performs such service.

# §7619. Expiration of program


The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may not furnish scholarships to [new](/usc/38/3565.md?p=a) participants in the Scholarship Program after December 31, 2033.