[§304A-3302]  Nursing scholars program;establishment, administration.  (a)  There is established a program to beknown as the nursing scholars program to be placed administratively within the University of Hawaii.

(b)  The University of Hawaii may providescholarship grants under the scholarship program to an eligible student who isa resident in this State upon confirmation from an approved educationalinstitution that the student has been accepted for enrollment in an approvedgraduate course of study.  Awarding preference shall be given to Hawaii residents.  Scholarship grants shall only be for the amounts set forth in section[304A-3303(a)] and shall only be used for tuition, books, laboratory fees, andany other required educational fees and costs.

(c)  The University of Hawaii shall establishlists of approved graduate courses of study for the various types of approvededucational institutions falling within the program.

(d)  To receive a scholarship grant under thischapter, a student shall:

(1)  Have graduated from a recognized nursing programwith a bachelor of science in nursing;

(2)  Maintain domicile in Hawaii during the term ofthe scholarship grants;

(3)  Comply with any conditions placed on thescholarship grant by the University of Hawaii;

(4)  Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher,on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent; and

(5)  Enter into a written agreement with the University of Hawaii to:

(A)  Satisfy all degree requirements and otherrequirements under this program;

(B)  Commence nursing instruction in this Statewithin one year after completion of an approved graduate degree in nursing fora period of one year for each academic year the student received a master's ordoctoral degree, for a period of one year for each academic year the studentreceives a scholarship grant under this program, unless the University ofHawaii determines that there are extenuating circumstances; and

(C)  Reimburse the State for all amountsreceived under this program and interest thereon, as determined by the University of Hawaii, if the student fails to comply with this subsection.

(e)  A student applying for the scholarshipshall apply to the University of Hawaii and include all information anddocumentation required by the University of Hawaii.  The application shallinclude a verified statement of grade point average from the appropriateapproved educational institution.

(f)  The teaching requirement under subsection(d)(5)(B) shall begin after the receipt of the master's or doctoral degree.  Ifa student terminates enrollment in the approved educational institution duringthe academic year or prior to completion of the approved graduate course ofstudy and is eligible to have all or a portion of the tuition payments refundedunder the refund policies of the institution, the approved educationalinstitution shall notify the University of Hawaii in writing and shall returnall unused portions of the scholarship grant.  Returned amounts shall be usedto fund other scholarship grants under this program.

(g)  A scholarship grant under this program isonly transferable to another approved educational institution if approved bythe University of Hawaii.

(h)  Scholarship grants awarded under theprogram shall be limited to funds appropriated for the purpose of awardinggrants or funds otherwise matched by external entities.  First priority forscholarship grant awards shall be given to renewal applicants. [L 2006, c 75,pt of §2]