(a) The Office will contract to repay a specified amount, on behalf of the program recipient, towards the principal, interest, and related expenses on outstanding governmental and commercial educational loans, not in default, related to the recipient's education required to become a licensed mental health service provider.

(b) The loan repayment award amount for each provider group shall not exceed the estimated annual average cost to attend the respective mental health education program throughout California, as provided by the California Student Aid Commission, for the academic year in which the repayment application has been submitted.

(c) The loan repayment amount awarded shall not exceed the total amount of debt owed on outstanding governmental and commercial education loans for mental health profession education related to pursuing a career as a licensed mental health service provider.