new text begin [144.1914] DENTAL ASSISTING AND HYGIENE EDUCATION
PROGRAM EXPANDED-CAPACITY GRANTS AND FORGIVABLE LOANS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant and loan program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall
make grants and forgivable loans available to dental assisting higher education programs
and dental hygiene higher education programs that are accredited by the Commission on
Dental Accreditation for eligible projects to expand student enrollment capacity. The
commissioner may consider programs that have applied for but have not yet received
accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Eligible projects include but
are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) expanding or improving existing clinic physical infrastructure;
new text end

new text begin (2) creating and building new clinic physical infrastructure;
new text end

new text begin (3) improving classroom physical structure;
new text end

new text begin (4) creating student scholarships;
new text end

new text begin (5) improving faculty and staff salaries;
new text end

new text begin (6) obtaining needed equipment and educational resources; and
new text end

new text begin (7) addressing other needs identified by an applicant.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program oversight. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall award grants and forgivable
loans based on information provided in the grant application. The commissioner may request
additional information from applicants when determining eligibility.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall give priority to programs that have the highest potential to
increase student capacity.
new text end

new text begin (c) When making determinations, the commissioner shall not demonstrate any preference
between dental hygiene and dental assisting programs.
new text end

new text begin (d) A higher education institution with dental hygiene and dental assisting programs that
is both interested in applying for grants and forgivable loans may submit one joint application.
new text end