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For Immediate Release
September 14, 2000

White: Applications Available for Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Program

HARRISBURG -- Applications for the state’s Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Program are available from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) said today.          

White said the program repays a maximum of $2,000 annually to borrowers of PHEAA-guaranteed student loans who are employed full-time in an agriculture-related field.  The program only covers PHEAA-guaranteed loans, excluding personal and commercial loans.  The borrower is allowed a lifetime maximum of $10,000 in forgiveness payments.

The program was created in 1992. Under the budget approved by the Legislature this year, the program received a state appropriation totaling $238,000.  Preference is given to all eligible renewal applicants.  However, first-time applicants will be considered if funding is available.  The application deadline is November 15, 2000.

Eligible applicants must have a degree related to agriculture or veterinary medicine from a Pennsylvania school or college.  Their first year of full-time employment in the field must be on or after July 1, 1991.

White said the program requires that the borrower remain in Pennsylvania after graduation and find employment full-time in the operation of a family farm, family farm corporation or a veterinary practice.  Family farms and farm corporations must be real property or a corporation owned by immediate family members and must produce agricultural products for commercial purposes.  At least 75 percent of the farm or corporation’s assets must be devoted to agriculture.

Veterinarians must be certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to sign health certificates required for the interstate commerce of agricultural animals and animal products.  They must also be able to certify regulatory testing for contagious diseases.

Applications for the Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Program are available from the senator’s district office, or directly from PHEAA at (717) 720-3600.  Additional information may also be found at PHEAA’s website, www.pheaa.org.