The Florida Senate

1009.633  Critical Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist Shortage Scholarship Loan Program.--

(1)  There is established the Critical Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist Shortage Scholarship Loan Program.

(2)  To be eligible, a candidate shall:

(a)  Be a full-time student in a therapy assistant program or in the upper division or higher level in an occupational therapist or physical therapist educational program. Occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant programs must be accredited by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the American Occupational Therapy Association. Physical therapist and physical therapist assistant programs must be accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.

(b)  Have declared an intention to be employed by the public schools of this state for 3 years following completion of the requirements. In the event critical shortage areas are changed by the State Board of Education, a student shall continue to be eligible for an award as long as the student continues in the therapist educational program for which the initial award was made and the student otherwise meets all other conditions of eligibility.

(c)  Meet the general requirements for student eligibility as provided in s. 1009.40, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(d)  Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate college work or a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for graduate college work.

(3)  A scholarship loan may be awarded for no more than 2 years and may not exceed $4,000 a year.

(4)  The State Board of Education shall adopt by rule repayment schedules and applicable interest rates under ss. 1009.82 and 1009.95 A scholarship loan must be paid back within 10 years of completion of a program of studies.

(a)  Credit for repayment of a scholarship loan shall be in an amount not to exceed $2,000 plus applicable accrued interest for each full year of employment by the public schools of this state.

(b)  Any therapist or therapy assistant who fails to be employed by a public school in this state as specified in this subsection is responsible for repaying the loan plus interest. Repayment schedules and applicable interest rates shall be determined by the rules of the State Board of Education under ss. 1009.82 and 1009.95

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

(6)  This section shall be implemented only to the extent specifically funded and authorized by law.

History.--s. 445, ch. 2002-387.