38 CFR § 17.537 - Award procedures.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t38/s17.537"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "38 CFR § 17.537 - Award procedures."
title_number: 38
title_name: "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief"
section_number: "17.537"
section_name: "Award procedures."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS"
part_number: "17"
part_name: "MEDICAL"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in specific sections."
cfr_part: "17"
---


# 17.537 Award procedures.

(a) *Priority.* In awarding EACFMAF, VA will give priority to eligible individuals who agree to be employed as physician assistants in a VA medical facility that:

(1) Is located in a community that is designated as a medically underserved population under 42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)(A);

(2) Is designated by VA as a medically underserved facility; and

(3) Is in a State with a per capita population of veterans of more than five percent, according to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics and the United States Census Bureau.

(b) *Amount of funds.* VA will provide a scholarship to individuals who participate in the EACFMAF to cover the costs of such individuals obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or similar master's degree for a period of one to three years. All such payments to scholarship participants are exempt from Federal taxation. The payments will consist of:

(1) Tuition and required fees;

(2) Other educational expenses, including books and laboratory equipment.