A. An applicant may be eligible for the award of a scholarship upon demonstration that the applicant:

1. Desires a scholarship to any accredited school of medicine or school of osteopathic medicine in the United States of America;

2. Is a bona fide resident of Oklahoma;

3. Has personal financial resources such that, in the absence of scholarship aid, will be unable to pursue the program of study desired;

4. Is a person of good moral character;

5. Has successfully completed the program of instruction prerequisite for admission to the program of study provided for in Section 625.1 et seq. of this title and has applied for admission to a medical school;

6. Has capacity to profit by the course of study for which the applicant seeks aid;

7. Desires to practice medicine in a rural community in Oklahoma; and

8. Submits proof that the applicant has not accepted or will not accept any other scholarship assistance which has a conflicting service obligation requirement.

In determining an applicant’s capacity to profit by the course of study desired, the Commission shall consider the applicant’s previous scholastic record, the results of examinations conducted under the provisions of Section 625.1 et seq. of this title, and the results of interviews and such other tests or examinations which the Commission may deem advisable. In establishing an applicant’s financial need, the Commission shall conduct a thorough and complete investigation of the financial resources of the applicant and family.

B. The amount of each scholarship grant shall not exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) per academic year for students engaged in their first, second, third or fourth year of study, or equivalent number of terms completed in an education program in a given period of months.

C. The method of payment of funds to each recipient of a scholarship grant shall be in accordance with rules formulated by the Commission governing the grants for each type of scholarship.

D. Each scholarship is renewable annually for the number of years required to complete the course of study in which the recipient is engaged. The Commission shall grant such an annual renewal only upon the recipient’s application and upon the Commission’s finding that the recipient:

1. Has completed successfully the work of the preceding year and presented evidence that the recipient is a student in good standing;

2. Remains a resident of Oklahoma; and

3. Is in a financial situation that warrants the award of a scholarship under the standards set forth in Section 625.1 et seq. of this title.

E. The Commission shall make an annual report to the Governor and Legislature on the activities of the Commission. This report shall include the names of the recipients of the scholarships, the amount of the scholarship awards, an accounting of the funds expended on scholarships and on the administration of the program and a budget requesting the funds necessary for the operation of the Commission. The report shall also include an accounting of repayments of scholarships, whether by services or in cash including interest.

Laws 1970, c. 82, § 5, emerg. eff. March 26, 1970; Laws 1972, c. 13, § 2, emerg. eff. Feb. 7, 1972; Laws 1975, c. 258, § 5, emerg. eff. June 4, 1975; Laws 1976, c. 212, § 17, emerg. eff. June 7, 1976; Laws 1977, c. 220, § 2, emerg. eff. June 14, 1977; Laws 1981, c. 212, § 11, emerg. eff. June 1, 1981; Laws 1991, c. 270, § 27, eff. July 1, 1991; Laws 2004, c. 80, § 1, eff. July 1, 2004.