A. The higher education department is authorized to grant a loan to defray the expenses of the medical education of a student deemed qualified by the department to receive the medical education, upon such terms and conditions as may be imposed by regulations of the department.

B. The department shall only receive, pass upon and allow or disallow those applications for loans made by those students enrolled or accepted by colleges of medicine who are bona fide citizens and residents of the United States and of New Mexico and who declare their intent to practice as physicians within designated areas of the state.

C. The department shall make a full and careful investigation of the ability, character and qualifications of each applicant and determine the applicant’s fitness to become a recipient of a student loan. The investigation of each applicant shall include an investigation of the ability of the applicant and the applicant’s parents or guardians to pay the applicant’s expenses for a medical education. The department shall give preference to qualified applicants who:

(1)     are unable, or whose parents or guardians are unable, to pay the applicant’s expenses in obtaining a medical education; and

(2)     are attending an accredited New Mexico medical school.

D. The department shall arrange for loan recipients to receive assistance in locating, planning and implementing the establishment and maintenance of a medical practice in a designated underserved area.