1. (1) holders of a prior State Health Service Corps award who have maintained an acceptable academic performance, provided they meet all requirements of chapter 355 of the Laws of 1985 and regulations of the Commissioner of Health. Recipients are limited to one award annually and are eligible for annual awards for two consecutive academic years. Holders of awards may be required to submit such supplemental data as required by the department;
2. (2) a New York State resident attending or planning to attend a New York State educational institution;
3. (3) a New York State resident attending or planning to attend an educational institution located out of state; and

4. (4) persons who are not residents of New York State attending or planning to attend a New York State educational institution.

   (c) Selection criteria.

   All eligible applications will be reviewed competitively using the following criteria:

5. (1) the need, as determined by the Commissioner of Health and the State Health Service Corps advisory committee, for the profession for which a scholarship is being sought in the designated facilities or agencies and region(s) where the applicant is willing to work;
6. (2) academic performance and academic awards or honors;
7. (3) special training and education relevant to the needs of the population to be served;
8. (4) work experience in the chosen health profession;
9. (5) work or volunteer experience with the population to be served;
10. (6) demonstrated commitment to working with the population to be served;
11. (7) civic or community awards and honors; and

12. (8) special skills or abilities or background or experience which will facilitate working with the population to be served.

    (d) Number of awards.

    The Commissioner of Health shall make as many awards as permitted by statute and for which there is available funding. The Commissioner of Health may make fewer awards than permitted by statute if, in consultation with the State Health Service Corps advisory committee, it is determined that no eligible applicants meet minimum qualifications, based on such criteria as those listed in the selection criteria in subdivision (c) of this section.

(a) Process.

The Commissioner of Health in consultation with the State Health Service Corps advisory committee shall select award recipients based on the criteria and preferences described in subdivisions (b) and (c) of this section; however, no award shall be given to an applicant unless a designated facility or agency has expressed a willingness to employ the applicant upon completion of the applicant's education.

(b) Preference.

Preference shall be given to persons in the following categories, in the order of priority stated: