(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to attract to the teaching profession persons who have expressed interest in teaching and to support the employment of those persons as classroom teachers by providing student loan repayment assistance for service as a classroom teacher in the public schools of this state.
(b) The coordinating board shall provide, in accordance with this subchapter and board rules, assistance in the repayment of eligible student loans for persons who apply and qualify for the assistance.