(a) To be eligible to sponsor a student under this subchapter, a community must:
(1) be located in a qualified area in this state; and
(2) provide evidence of community sponsorship of the student.
(b) Community sponsorship consists of:
(1) a commitment to pay for a percentage of the student's postsecondary educational expenses, including tuition, fees, educational materials, and living expenses; and
(2) a commitment to employ the student on a full-time basis as a health care professional on the student's completion of the academic program and licensure or certification in the health care profession for which the student is sponsored.
(c) The department shall determine the percentage of educational expenses communities are required to provide under this section.
(d) Community financial support may be satisfied wholly or partly by a grant, a scholarship, or private foundation support.