Rural Physicians and Rural Dentists Retention Loan Repayment Programs; create.

HB 512 creates two new programs to help rural physicians and dentists repay student loans. It provides annual awards ranging from $7,500 to $50,000 per year (increasing with each consecutive year of service) for healthcare providers working in qualifying Mississippi rural settings, including hospitals in "super rural" ZIP codes, Critical Access Hospitals, specific counties (like Bolivar and Holmes), or communities with populations under 15,000. To qualify, applicants must be Mississippi residents, hold a valid medical/dental license, have qualifying student loans, and work at a licensed rural facility outside metropolitan areas. The program replaces previous scholarship programs and is administered by the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board.