(a) The coordinating board may award a grant in an amount not more than three times the amount that may be awarded under Section 56.407 to a student who:
(1) is enrolled in a program that fulfills the educational requirements for licensure or certification by the state in a health care profession that the coordinating board, in consultation with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of State Health Services, has identified as having a critical shortage in the number of license holders needed in this state;
(2) has completed at least one-half of the work toward a degree or certificate that fulfills the educational requirement for licensure or certification; and
(3) meets all the requirements to receive a grant award under Section 56.407.
(b) In awarding a grant under Subsection (a), the coordinating board may:
(1) give priority to students from a group underrepresented in the programs preparing students for licensure or certification by the state; and
(2) award different amounts based on the amount of course work a student has completed toward earning the degree required for licensure or certification.