; (B) enrolled in an accredited program of study at an institution of higher education; and (C) referred by their institution of higher education following an internal application process. (2) Priority In making such selection, the Secretary shall give priority to each of the following five categories of students: (A) Students who, at the time of the completion of their secondary education, resided in a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 332 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254e )). (B) First generation college students (as defined in section 402A(h)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) )). (C) Students who have been referred by minority-serving institutions (as defined in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) )). (D) Veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code). (E) Students who indicate an intention to specialize in a health professional occupation identified by the Inspector General of the Department under section 7412 of title 38, United States Code, as having a staffing shortage. (3) Assignment to medical centers The Secretary shall assign students selected under paragraph (1) to medical centers selected under subsection (b) without regard for whether such medical centers have staffing shortages in any health professional occupation pursuant to section 7412 of title 38, United States Code. (e) Other matters In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) establish a formal status to facilitate the access to medical centers of the Department by student observers participating in the pilot program; (2) establish standardized legal, privacy, and ethical requirements for the student observers, including with respect to— (A) ensuring that no student observer provides any care to patients while participating as an observer; and (B) ensuring the suitability of a student to participate in the pilot program to ensure that the student poses no risk to patients