1. (1) holders of a prior Primary Care Service Corps scholarship award who have maintained an acceptable academic performance;
2. (2) a New York State resident attending or planning to attend a New York State primary care practitioner program;

3. (3) a New York State resident attending or planning to attend a primary care practitioner program located out-of-state.

   (c) Selection criteria.

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

4. (1) the need, as determined the Commissioner of Health, for an individual(s) qualified to practice the profession for which a scholarship is being sought in the underserved areas of the region(s) where the applicant is willing to work;
5. (2) academic performance and academic awards or honors;
6. (3) special training and education relevant to the needs of underserved populations;
7. (4) work experience relevant to the chosen health profession;
8. (5) work or volunteer experience with underserved populations or in underserved areas;
9. (6) demonstrated interest or commitment to working with underserved populations or in underserved areas;
10. (7) civic or community awards and honors; and

11. (8) special skills or abilities, background or experience which will facilitate working with underserved populations or in underserved areas.

    (d) Number of awards.

    The Commissioner of Health shall make as many awards as available funding permits. The Commissioner of Health may make fewer awards than available funding permits if it is determined that there are not a sufficient number of eligible applicants who meet minimum qualifications, based on such criteria as those listed in subdivision (c) of this section.

(a) Process.

The Commissioner of Health shall select recipients based on the criteria and preferences described in subdivisions (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) Preference.

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