There is created within the department the Veterinarian Education Loan Repayment Program.
Terms Used In Utah Code 4-2-902
Agriculture: means the science and art of the production of plants and animals useful to man, including the preparation of plants and animals for human use and disposal by marketing or otherwise. See Utah Code 4-1-109
Education loan: means a loan received for education at a domestic or foreign institution of higher education, including a school or college of veterinary medicine. See Utah Code 4-2-901
Loan: means a loan that is made directly by, insured by, or guaranteed under a government program of:
Beginning July 1, 2028, the program shall on a first-come, first-served basis make payments toward a qualified veterinarian‘s education loan balances.
(b)
A veterinarian is eligible for payments under Subsection (2)(a) if the veterinarian:
(i)
applies as a qualified veterinarian for payment from the program; and
(ii)
registers with the program at least five years before the day the veterinarian applies under Subsection (2)(b)(i) for payment.
(c)
Payments made under Subsection (2)(a) shall:
(i)
be made directly to one or more of the qualified veterinarian’s lenders; and
(ii)
as funding for the program permits, in total equal the maximum payment value.
(3)
The department may use 2% or less of the amount appropriated for the program to pay for actual costs of administering the program.
(4)
On or before October 1 each year, the department shall submit a report of the program’s revenues, expenditures, and outcomes to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee.
(5)
The department may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to administer the program, including rules specifying how a veterinarian may register intent to apply for payment from the program.
