(a) Eligibility criteria. Applicants must:

1. (1) Be bona fide Arkansas residents, as defined by the Division of Higher Education, for at least twelve (12) months prior to the application deadline;
2. (2) Be a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident;
3. (3) Have graduated from a veterinary medicine program from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Program after April 2022;
4. (4) Have outstanding federal student loans;
5. (5) Hold a valid Arkansas veterinary license;
6. (6) Practice food supply veterinary medicine;

7. (7) Begin practicing food supply veterinary medicine in Arkansas within ninety (90) days after the completion of:

   1. (A) The professional degree program for which the loan was made;
   2. (B) An internship program; or
   3. (C) The professional degree program for which the loan was made and an internship program; and

8. (8) Have graduated from an Arkansas:

   1. (A) Public, private, or home school; or
   2. (B) GED program.

(b) Continued eligibility.

1. (1) Recipients shall notify the division annually with documentation that proves his or her continuation to meet the eligibility criteria set forth above.
2. (2) A recipient may receive an annual award for a maximum of five (5) consecutive years.
3. (3) However, if a recipient fails to practice the minimum amount of food supply veterinary medicine for even one (1) year out of the five-consecutive-year period, he or she will not receive loan repayment.