Section 283.25.2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

“Advanced registered nurse practitioner” means an individual who graduated from a graduate-level credential program at an eligible university, holds a practitioner’s license to practice as an advanced registered nurse practitioner pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 152, and is employed in the practice of nursing in an eligible service commitment area.

“Eligible loan” means the advanced registered nurse practitioner’s or physician assistant’s total subsidized, unsubsidized, and consolidated Federal Stafford Loan amount under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, Federal Direct Loan Program, federal Graduate PLUS Loan, or federal Perkins Loan, including principal and interest. Only the outstanding portion of a federal consolidation loan that was used to repay an eligible subsidized or unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan qualifies for loan repayment.

“Eligible university” means a college or university that meets the requirements of Iowa Code section 261.2, subsection 11, and is an institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents or an accredited private institution as defined in Iowa Code section 261.9. An eligible university must complete and return the forms to the commission to participate in the program.

“Maximum award” means the maximum amount of loan repayments that the advanced registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant can receive after completing all obligations under the rural Iowa advanced registered nurse practitioner and physician assistant loan repayment program, not to exceed a total of $20,000. The maximum award can be applied only to eligible loans; thus, payments cannot exceed the outstanding eligible loan balance at the time of payment.

“Physician assistant” means an individual who graduated with a master’s degree in a physician assistant studies program at an eligible university, holds a practitioner’s license to practice as a physician assistant pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 148C, and is employed as a physician assistant in an eligible service commitment area.

“Service commitment area” means a medically underserved Iowa city with a population of less than 26,000 that is located more than 20 miles from a city with a population of 50,000 or more. Each applicant participating in the program must contract with the service commitment area to ensure the service commitment area provides a nonrefundable $2,000 contribution for deposit in the rural Iowa advanced registered nurse practitioner and physician assistant trust fund. Payment of the nonrefundable contribution to the trust fund can be made by, but is not limited to, the following organizations: community agencies, hospitals, medical groups, municipalities, community foundations, local government entities, or other community entities. Locations and distances between cities will be consistently measured and verified by calculating the straight-line distance between main post offices.

“Surplus funds” means funding available after the maximum award has been obligated to all recommended applicants in accordance with rule 283—25.3(261).

[ARC 1321C, IAB 2/19/14, effective 3/26/14; ARC 1686C, IAB 10/29/14, effective 12/3/14]