Pennsylvania Statutes Title 24 P.S. Education § 18-1802-B. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Agency.”  The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

“Applicant.”  An entity that applies for a grant under section 1803-B.  1

“Critical access hospital.”  A hospital that:

(1) has qualified under section 1861(mm)(1) of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 1395x(mm)(1)) as a critical access hospital under Medicare;  or

(2) is a rural hospital licensed under section 808 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L. 130, No. 48),  2 known as the Health Care Facilities Act, that:

(i) provides inpatient medical care and other related services for surgery, acute medical conditions or injuries;

(ii) is located in a county of the sixth, seventh or eighth class that has no more than two medical assistance-enrolled general acute care hospitals;

(iii) is located in a county that has greater than 17% of its population that are eligible for medical assistance or has greater than 10,000 persons eligible for medical assistance;

(iv) has no more than 200 licensed and staffed beds;  and

(v) does not qualify as a critical access hospital under section 1861(mm)(1) of the Social Security Act as a critical access hospital under Medicare.

“Educational institution.”

(1) A community college operating under Article XIX-A.  3

(2) A university within the State System of Higher Education.

(3) The Pennsylvania State University.

(4) The University of Pittsburgh.

(5) Temple University.

(6) Lincoln University.

(7) Any other institution that is designated as State-related by the Commonwealth.

(8) The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

(9) An accredited private or independent college or university.

(10) A college established under Article XIX-G.  4

(11) A private licensed school as defined in the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L. 1585, No. 174),  5 known as the Private Licensed Schools Act.

“Hospital.”  As defined in section 802.1   6 of the Health Care Facilities Act.

“Nursing degree.”  A degree issued by an educational institution for completion of an accredited nursing program.

“Partner hospital.”  A hospital that has entered into a contractual relationship with a qualified nursing servicer and meets all of the following:

(1) Provides loan repayment assistance to nurses employed by the hospital.

(2) Agrees to provide non-State sourced matching funds for nurse loan repayment assistance equal to at least 100% of the grant amount made available by the qualified nursing servicer.

“Program.”  The Nursing Shortage Assistance Program established under section 1803-B.

“Qualified nursing servicer.”  An entity that does all of the following:

(1) Contracts with multiple educational institutions and hospitals in a manner that promotes greater access to education and career opportunities for prospective nursing students.

(2) Maintains a place of business in this Commonwealth.

(3) Contracts with multiple hospitals within this Commonwealth to coordinate agreements between prospective nursing students and hospitals in a manner that facilitates the repayment of student loan expenses incurred by the prospective nursing students.

(4) Has contracted with a public educational institution in this Commonwealth to create new educational programs within the health sciences field.

(5) Has more than two years of experience in supporting educational institutions, including support for at least 25 educational institutions through agreements with a total contract value greater than $1,000,000.  Experience under this paragraph must include marketing, recruiting, student support, clinical placement, learning design and application of technology.

(6) Does not:

(i) provide student loans or engage in the origination of loans, including, but not limited to, serving as a loan originator or underwriter;  or

(ii) directly or indirectly hold, purchase or securitize any student loan instrument within the health sciences field.

“Recipient.”  An applicant that has been awarded a grant under section 1803-B.