The Florida Senate

1009.632  Critical Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program.--

(1)  There is established the Critical Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program. The primary function of the program is to make repayments toward loans received by students from institutions for the support of postsecondary study of occupational therapy or physical therapy. Repayments shall be made to qualified applicants who initiate employment in the public schools of this state and who apply during their first year of employment in a public school setting.

(2)  From the funds available, the Department of Education is authorized to make loan principal repayments as follows:

(a)  Up to $2,500 a year for up to 4 years on behalf of selected graduates of accredited undergraduate postsecondary occupational therapist or physical therapist preparation programs.

(b)  Up to $2,500 a year for up to 2 years on behalf of selected graduates of accredited undergraduate postsecondary occupational therapy or physical therapist assistant preparation programs.

(c)  Up to $5,000 a year for up to 2 years on behalf of selected graduates of accredited postbaccalaureate entry level occupational therapist or physical therapist preparation programs.

(d)  All repayments shall be contingent on continued proof of employment for 3 years as a therapist or therapy assistant by the public schools in this state and shall be made directly to the holder of the loan. The state shall not bear the responsibility for the collection of any interest charges or other remaining balance. In the event that a critical shortage is no longer verified, a therapist or therapy assistant shall continue to be eligible for loan forgiveness as long as the therapist or therapy assistant continues to be employed by the public schools of this state and otherwise meets all conditions of eligibility.

(3)  Recipients under this program shall not be eligible to participate in the Critical Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist Shortage Scholarship Loan Program or the Critical Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist Shortage Tuition Reimbursement Program.

(4)  This section shall be implemented only to the extent as specifically funded by law.

History.--s. 444, ch. 2002-387.