Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 212 - Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board
Here’s a refined overview of Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 212 — the Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board:
🏛 Agency 212: Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board
Establishment & Authority
Created under Arkansas Code § 6‑81‑701 et seq. (original Act 131 of 1949). The Board administers student loans and scholarships to support full-time primary care practice in rural Arkansas (sos.arkansas.gov).
It sets broad rules governing:
Eligibility for both rural practice loans during medical school and their conversion to scholarships following practice commitment (sos.arkansas.gov, codes.findlaw.com).
Requirements for communities to qualify for participation in recruitment and matching incentives .
Dispute-resolution procedures (non-adjudicative and informal) for any contract-related disagreements (sos.arkansas.gov).
Board Composition
Under Ark. Code § 6‑81‑702 (as of March 28, 2024):
8 governor-appointed members, serving three-year terms (codes.findlaw.com).
Includes:
The Dean of the UAMS College of Medicine (who serves as chair) (codes.findlaw.com).
Two licensed physicians appointed with input from the Arkansas Medical Society (codes.findlaw.com).
One physician nominated via the Arkansas Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Association (codes.findlaw.com).
Additional members appointed after consulting with the Dean, Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, and Arkansas Hospital Association (codes.findlaw.com).
Key Functions
Per § 6‑81‑702:
Promulgates rules (with form regulation, community eligibility, dispute resolution) under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act (codes.findlaw.com).
Controls loan application processes, disbursements, conversion to scholarships, and loan collection (codes.findlaw.com).
Manages funds—including gifts, grants, federal contributions; and can sue or be sued as necessary (codes.findlaw.com).
Dispute Resolution Procedure
Outlined in Rule 212.00.07‑001:
Applicable to all parties involved—student recipients, rural communities, or board staff.
Aims for informal resolution, minimizing cost and avoiding formal adjudication (sos.arkansas.gov).
Process includes:
Formal notice and opportunity to be heard by all interested parties.
Informal settlement conferences, followed (if necessary) by participation of the full board (sos.arkansas.gov).
🔍 Where to Find the Full Text
Justia and LII offer access to Rule 212.00.07‑001 .
Ark. Code § 6‑81‑702 detailing board makeup and powers can be found via FindLaw (codes.findlaw.com).
✅ Summary
Agency 212 oversees a vital Arkansas program designed to:
Provide loans to medical students committed to rural primary care.
Convert those loans to scholarships upon service.
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