NY A03509

Expands Regents professional education scholarships to include podiatry students alongside medicine and dentistry students, with 100 scholarships awarded annually on a competitive basis.

Extends the Regents physician loan forgiveness program to include dentists and podiatrists who agree to practice in New York state areas designated as having shortages of health professionals.

Requires loan forgiveness recipients to complete a minimum of 24 months of service in shortage areas, accept Medicare and Medicaid payments, and provide 35 hours per week of direct patient care.

Modifies the Health Care Professional Opportunity Scholarships program to include podiatry students who are economically disadvantaged and/or members of underrepresented minority groups.

Establishes an 80-award annual loan forgiveness program for physicians, dentists, and podiatrists, with each award consisting of two consecutive annual payments up to $10,000 per year for eligible student loan expenses.