Grants and contracts authorized
The Secretary shall, in accordance with the provisions of this division, carry out a program of making grants and contracts designed to identify qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, to prepare them for a program of postsecondary education, to provide support services for such students who are pursuing programs of postsecondary education, to motivate and prepare students for doctoral programs, and to train individuals serving or preparing for service in programs and projects so designed.
Recipients, duration, and size
Recipients
section 6101 of title 41For the purposes described in subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized, without regard to , to make grants to, and contracts with, institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations, including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and, as appropriate to the purposes of the program, secondary schools, for planning, developing, or carrying out one or more of the services assisted under this division.
Duration
Minimum grants
section 1070a–17 of this titleUnless the institution or agency requests a smaller amount, an individual grant authorized under this division shall be awarded in an amount that is not less than $200,000, except that an individual grant authorized under shall be awarded in an amount that is not less than $170,000.
Procedures for awarding grants and contracts
Application requirements
An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant or contract under this division shall submit an application to the Secretary in such manner and form, and containing such information and assurances, as the Secretary may reasonably require.
Considerations
Prior experience
section 1070a–18 of this titleIn making grants under this division, the Secretary shall consider each applicant’s prior experience of high quality service delivery, as determined under subsection (f), under the particular program for which funds are sought. The level of consideration given the factor of prior experience shall not vary from the level of consideration given such factor during fiscal years 1994 through 1997, except that grants made under shall not be given prior experience consideration.
Participant need
In making grants under this division, the Secretary shall consider the number, percentages, and needs of eligible participants in the area, institution of higher education, or secondary school to be served to aid such participants in preparing for, enrolling in, or succeeding in postsecondary education, as appropriate to the particular program for which the eligible entity is applying.
Order of awards; program fraud
Peer review process
Number of applications for grants and contracts
The Secretary shall not limit the number of applications submitted by an entity under any program authorized under this division if the additional applications describe programs serving different populations or different campuses.
Coordination with other programs for disadvantaged students
section 11434a of title 42The Secretary shall encourage coordination of programs assisted under this division with other programs for disadvantaged students operated by the sponsoring institution or agency, regardless of the funding source of such programs. The Secretary shall not limit an entity’s eligibility to receive funds under this division because such entity sponsors a program similar to the program to be assisted under this division, regardless of the funding source of such program. The Secretary shall permit the Director of a program receiving funds under this division to administer one or more additional programs for disadvantaged students operated by the sponsoring institution or agency, regardless of the funding sources of such programs. The Secretary shall, as appropriate, require each applicant for funds under the programs authorized by this division to identify and make available services under such program, including mentoring, tutoring, and other services provided by such program, to foster care youth (including youth in foster care and youth who have left foster care after reaching age 13) or to homeless children and youths as defined in .
Application status
The Secretary shall inform each entity operating programs under this division regarding the status of their application for continued funding at least 8 months prior to the expiration of the grant or contract. The Secretary, in the case of an entity that is continuing to operate a successful program under this division, shall ensure that the start-up date for a new grant or contract for such program immediately follows the termination of the preceding grant or contract so that no interruption of funding occurs for such successful reapplicants. The Secretary shall inform each entity requesting assistance under this division for a new program regarding the status of their application at least 8 months prior to the proposed startup date of such program.
Review and notification by the Secretary
Guidance
Updated guidance
Not later than 45 days before the date of the commencement of each competition for a grant under this division that is held after the expiration of the 180-day period described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall update and publish the guidance described in such subparagraph.
Review
In general
Technical or administrative error
In the case of evidence of a technical or administrative error listed in clause (i)(I), the Secretary shall review such evidence and provide a timely response to the applicant. If the Secretary determines that a technical or administrative error was made by the Department or an agent of the Department, the application of the applicant shall be reconsidered in the peer review process for the applicable grant competition.
Scoring error
Error in peer review process
Referral to secondary review
In the case of a peer review process error listed in clause (i)(I), if the Secretary determines that points were withheld for criteria not required in Federal statute, regulation, or guidance governing a program assisted under this division or the application for a grant for such program, or determines that information pertaining to selection criteria was wrongly determined to be missing from an application by a peer reviewer, then the Secretary shall refer the application to a secondary review panel.
Timely review; replacement score
The secondary review panel described in subclause (I) shall conduct a secondary review in a timely fashion, and the score resulting from the secondary review shall replace the score from the initial peer review.
Composition of secondary review panel
Final score
The final peer review score of an application subject to a secondary review under this clause shall be adjusted appropriately and quickly using the score awarded by the secondary review panel, so as not to interfere with the timely awarding of grants for the applicable grant competition.
Qualification for secondary review
Finality
In general
A determination by the Secretary under clause (i), (ii), or (iii) shall not be reviewable by any officer or employee of the Department.
Scoring
The score awarded by a secondary review panel under clause (iv) shall not be reviewable by any officer or employee of the Department other than the Secretary.
Funding of applications with certain adjusted scores
To the extent feasible based on the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall fund applications with scores that are adjusted upward under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) to equal or exceed the minimum cut off score for the applicable grant competition.
Outreach
In general
The Secretary shall conduct outreach activities to ensure that entities eligible for assistance under this division submit applications proposing programs that serve geographic areas and eligible populations which have been underserved by the programs assisted under this division.
Notice
In carrying out the provisions of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall notify the entities described in subsection (b) of the availability of assistance under this subsection not less than 120 days prior to the deadline for submission of applications under this division and shall consult national, State, and regional organizations about candidates for notification.
Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide technical training to applicants for projects and programs authorized under this division. The Secretary shall give priority to serving programs and projects that serve geographic areas and eligible populations which have been underserved by the programs assisted under this division. Technical training activities shall include the provision of information on authorizing legislation, goals and objectives of the program, required activities, eligibility requirements, the application process and application deadlines, and assistance in the development of program proposals and the completion of program applications. Such training shall be furnished at conferences, seminars, and workshops to be conducted at not less than 10 sites throughout the United States to ensure that all areas of the United States with large concentrations of eligible participants are served.
Special rule
The Secretary may contract with eligible entities to conduct the outreach activities described in this subsection.
Documentation of status as a low-income individual
Outcome criteria
Use for prior experience determination
For competitions for grants under this division that begin on or after , the Secretary shall determine an eligible entity’s prior experience of high quality service delivery, as required under subsection (c)(2), based on the outcome criteria described in paragraphs (2) and (3).
Disaggregation of relevant data
The outcome criteria under this subsection shall be disaggregated by low-income students, first generation college students, and individuals with disabilities, in the schools and institutions of higher education served by the program to be evaluated.
Contents of outcome criteria
Measurement of progress
In order to determine the extent to which each outcome criterion described in paragraph (2) or (3) is met or exceeded, the Secretary shall compare the agreed upon target for the criterion, as established in the eligible entity’s application approved by the Secretary, with the results for the criterion, measured as of the last day of the applicable time period for the determination for the outcome criterion.
Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of making grants and contracts under this division, there are authorized to be appropriated $900,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the five succeeding fiscal years. Of the amount appropriated under this division, the Secretary may use no more than ½ of 1 percent of such amount to obtain additional qualified readers and additional staff to review applications, to increase the level of oversight monitoring, to support impact studies, program assessments and reviews, and to provide technical assistance to potential applicants and current grantees. In expending these funds, the Secretary shall give priority to the additional administrative requirements provided in the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, to outreach activities, and to obtaining additional readers.
Definitions
Different campus
Different population
First generation college student
Low-income individual
The term “low-income individual” means an individual from a family whose taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census.
Veteran eligibility
Waiver
The Secretary may waive the service requirements in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (5) if the Secretary determines the application of the service requirements to a veteran will defeat the purpose of a program under this division.
Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 402APub. L. 102–325, title IV, § 402(a)(4)106 Stat. 482Pub. L. 103–208, § 2(b)(6)107 Stat. 2458Pub. L. 105–244, title I, § 102(b)(1)112 Stat. 1622Pub. L. 110–315, title IV, § 403(a)122 Stat. 3191Pub. L. 111–39, title IV, § 401(a)(4)123 Stat. 1938(, as added , , ; amended –(9), , ; , title IV, § 402(a), , , 1652; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 90–24781 Stat. 814section 1221 of this titleThe General Education Provisions Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(8)(A)(i), is title IV of , , , which is classified generally to chapter 31 (§ 1221 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.
Pub. L. 102–325106 Stat. 448section 1001 of this titleThe Higher Education Amendments of 1992, referred to in subsec. (g), is , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1992 Amendment note set out under and Tables.
Codification
section 6101 of title 4141 U.S.C. 5Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c)124 Stat. 3854In subsec. (b)(1), “” substituted for “section 3709 of the Revised Statutes ()” on authority of , , , which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
Amendments
Pub. L. 111–39, § 401(a)(4)(A)2009—Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “organizations, including” for “organizations including”.
Pub. L. 111–39, § 401(a)(4)(B)Subsec. (c)(8)(C)(iv)(I). , inserted “to be” after “determined”.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(1)(A)2008—Subsec. (b)(1). , inserted “including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth” after “private agencies and organizations” and substituted “, as appropriate to the purposes of the program” for “in exceptional circumstances”.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(1)(B)(i)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “5 years” for “4 years” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(1)(B)(ii)Subsec. (b)(2)(A). , amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment subpar. (A) read as follows: “the Secretary shall award such grants or contracts for 5 years to applicants whose peer review scores were in the highest 10 percent of scores of all applicants receiving grants or contracts in each program competition for the same award year;”.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (b)(3). , added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Unless the institution or agency requests a smaller amount, individual grants under this division shall be no less than—
“(A) $170,000 for programs authorized by sections 1070a–14 and 1070a–17 of this title;
“(B) $180,000 for programs authorized by sections 1070a–12 and 1070a–16 of this title; and
“(C) $190,000 for programs authorized by sections 1070a–13 and 1070a–15 of this title.”
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(2)(A)Subsec. (c)(2). , inserted par. heading, designated former par. heading as subpar. (A) heading and existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted “high quality service delivery, as determined under subsection (f),” for “service delivery”, and added subpar. (B).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(2)(B)Subsec. (c)(3)(B). , substituted “shall not” for “is not required to”.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(2)(C)Subsec. (c)(5). , substituted “different campuses” for “campuses”.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(2)(D)section 11434a of title 42Subsec. (c)(6). , inserted at end “The Secretary shall, as appropriate, require each applicant for funds under the programs authorized by this division to identify and make available services under such program, including mentoring, tutoring, and other services provided by such program, to foster care youth (including youth in foster care and youth who have left foster care after reaching age 13) or to homeless children and youths as defined in .”
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(2)(E)Subsec. (c)(8). , added par. (8).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (e)(1), (2). , substituted “subsection (h)(4)” for “subsection (g)(2)” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(3)(B)Subsec. (e)(3). , added par. (3).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(5)Subsec. (f). , added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(6)Subsec. (g). , substituted “$900,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the five succeeding fiscal years” for “$700,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years” and struck out last sentence which read as follows: “The Secretary shall report to Congress by , on the use of these funds.”
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(4), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(7)(A)Subsec. (h). , (B), added pars. (1) and (2) and redesignated former pars. (1) to (4) as (3) to (6), respectively.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(4), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(7)(C)(i)Subsec. (h)(5)(A). , struck out “, any part of which occurred after ,” after “more than 180 days” and “or” after semicolon.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(7)(C)(ii)Subsec. (h)(5)(B). , struck out “after ,” after “active duty” and substituted a semicolon for period at end.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(7)(C)(iii)Subsec. (h)(5)(C), (D). , added subpars. (C) and (D).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 403(a)(7)(D)Subsec. (h)(6). , substituted “subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (5)” for “subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3)”.
Pub. L. 105–244, § 402(a)(1)1998—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). , added subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 105–244, § 402(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(3). , amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In any year in which the appropriations authorized under this division exceed the prior year appropriation as adjusted for inflation, the Secretary shall use 80 percent of the amount appropriated above the current services level to bring each award up to the minimum grant level or the amount requested by the institution or agency, whichever is less. The minimum grant level (A) for programs authorized under section 1070a–14 or 1070a–17 of this title, shall not be less than $170,000 for fiscal year 1993; (B) for programs authorized under section 1070a–12 or 1070a–16 of this title shall not be less than $180,000 for fiscal year 1994; and (C) for programs authorized under section 1070a–13 or 1070a–15 of this title shall not be less than $190,000 for fiscal year 1995.”
Pub. L. 105–244, § 402(a)(3)Subsec. (c). , amended subsec. (c) generally, revising and restating former pars. (1) to (6), relating to procedures for awarding grants and contracts, as pars. (1) to (7).
Pub. L. 105–244, § 102(b)(1)Subsec. (c)(2). , substituted “section 1011g” for “section 1145d–1”.
Pub. L. 105–244, § 402(a)(4)Subsec. (f). , substituted “$700,000,000 for fiscal year 1999” for “$650,000,000 for fiscal year 1993”.
Pub. L. 105–244, § 402(a)(5)Subsec. (g)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 103–208, § 2(b)(6)1993—Subsec. (b)(2). , added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “Grants or contracts made under this division shall be awarded for a period of 4 years, except that the Secretary shall award such grants or contracts for 5 years to applicants whose peer review scores were in the highest 10 percent of scores of all applicants receiving grants or contracts in each program competition for the same award year.”
Pub. L. 103–208, § 2(b)(7)Subsec. (c)(1). , inserted before period at end of second sentence “, except that in the case of the programs authorized in sections 1070a–15 and 1070a–17 of this title, the level of consideration given to prior experience shall be the same as the level of consideration given this factor in the other programs authorized in this division”.
Pub. L. 103–208, § 2(b)(8)section 1070a–17 of this titleSubsec. (c)(2)(A). , inserted “with respect to grants made under , and” after “Except”.
Pub. L. 103–208, § 2(b)(9)Subsec. (e). , amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: “Documentation of an individual’s status pursuant to subsection (g)(2) of this section shall be made—
“(1) in the case of an individual who is eighteen years of age or younger or a dependent student by providing the Secretary with a signed statement from the parent or legal guardian, verification from another governmental source, a signed financial aid application, or a signed United States or Puerto Rican income tax return; and
“(2) in the case of an individual who is age 18 or older or who is an independent student, by providing the Secretary with a signed statement from the individual, verification from another governmental source, a signed financial aid form, or a signed United States or Puerto Rican income tax return.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–39Pub. L. 110–315section 3 of Pub. L. 111–39section 1001 of this titleAmendment by effective as if enacted on the date of enactment of (), see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–244Pub. L. 105–244section 3 of Pub. L. 105–244section 1001 of this titleAmendment by effective , except as otherwise provided in , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Pub. L. 103–208Pub. L. 102–325section 2(b)(7) of Pub. L. 103–208Pub. L. 103–208section 1051 of this titleAmendment by section 2(b)(6), (8), (9) of effective as if included in the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, , except as otherwise provided, and amendment by effective on and after , see section 5(a), (b)(2) of set out as a note under .
Advanced Placement Fee Payment Program
Pub. L. 105–244, title VIII, § 810112 Stat. 1808Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1011(2)115 Stat. 1986, , , which authorized grants to States to enable States to reimburse low-income individuals to cover part or all of the cost of advanced placement test fees, required dissemination of information regarding availability of payments, set forth requirements for approval of applications and funding rules, authorized regulations, required annual report, defined terms, and authorized appropriations, was repealed by , , .
Pub. L. 102–325, title XV, § 1545106 Stat. 837Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1011(1)115 Stat. 1986Similar provisions were contained in , , , which was repealed by , , .
References to Subpart 2, 3, or 4 of This Part Deemed To Refer to Subpart 3, 4, or 2 of This Part
Pub. L. 102–325, title IV, § 402(b)106 Stat. 505