SB 706

This bill modifies a scholarship awarded by the Higher Educational Aids Board

so that it applies to students enrolled in the Marquette University School of

Dentistry (MUSD).

Current law requires HEAB, in consultation with the Department of Health

Services, to establish a scholarship program for state residents who enter into an

agreement with HEAB to practice in a health shortage area in this state upon

graduation (eligible student). HEAB may award an annual scholarship for each year

of an eligible student's enrollment, up to four years, and the eligible student must

agree to practice in a health shortage area for 18 months for each annual scholarship

the student receives. If the student fails to meet this obligation, the student must

repay the scholarships based on a specified calculation.

This bill makes changes to the program so that it applies only to students

enrolled in MUSD who agree to practice dentistry in a dental health shortage area

for 18 months for each annual scholarship received. The bill defines a “dental health

shortage area” as an area that is federally designated as having a shortage of dental

professionals, not including the counties of Brown, Dane, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and

Waukesha. Under the bill, HEAB may award to no more than 15 MUSD students

an annual scholarship of $30,000 per year for up to four years. A student who fails

to meet his or her obligation to practice in a dental health shortage area for the

requisite period must repay the scholarships in the manner required under current

law.

The bill also requires HEAB to provide MUSD $350,000 annually for the

development and operation of programs to support the recruitment and training of

students in rural dentistry.