38 U.S.C. § 7693 — Eligibility; preferences; covered costs

(a) Eligibility: You're eligible to join the Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program if you: (1) will be eligible for appointment under section 7401 to work in an occupation described in section 7692; (2) owe principal or interest on a loan whose proceeds paid for a course of education or training that led to a degree qualifying you for that position; and (3) are either (A) a recent graduate of an accredited medical or osteopathic school who matched to an accredited residency program in a specialty described in section 7692, or (B) already training in a specialty described in section 7692 with more than 2 years of training left.

(b) Preferences: In choosing participants, the Secretary^* may give preference to: (1) individuals participating (or who will participate) in residency programs at health-care facilities that are located in rural areas, run by Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or the Indian Health Service, or affiliated with underserved Department^* health-care facilities; and (2) veterans.

(c) Covered Costs: For purposes of (a)(2), qualifying costs include: (1) tuition expenses; (2) other reasonable education expenses, including fees, books, equipment, and lab expenses; and (3) reasonable living expenses.