1. a) Preference shall be given to those scholarship applicants who, in written narratives and personal interviews, demonstrate the following:

   1. 1) Interest in pursuing a degree and licensure or certification as a certified nurse practitioner, physician assistant, certified registered nurse anesthetist or certified nurse midwife;
   2. 2) Previous experience with medically underserved populations;
   3. 3) Previous experience in rural practice, with preference given to those whose experience has involved one of the primary care specialty areas;
   4. 4) Academic capabilities as reported by the applicant's approved school;
   5. 5) Financial need as reported by standard financial analysis documentation supplied by the applicant's school on the student's behalf;
   6. 6) Greater number of years of school remaining;
   7. 7) Stated interest in providing primary health care to citizens residing in designated shortage areas of Illinois;
   8. 8) Most number of years of residence in Illinois; and
   9. 9) United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.

2. b) Of all applicants, priority shall be given to those individuals who have previously received a scholarship, provided that:

   1. 1) Recipient requests, in a format determined by the Department, a continuation of scholarship funds;
   2. 2) Recipient would not be repeating the same year of school for the second consecutive year because of poor academic performance; and
   3. 3) Recipient has not voluntarily withdrawn from school.
3. c) When the number of applicants is sufficient, scholarships will be equally distributed among all applicants by profession.

(Source: Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 2345, effective January 27, 2012)