Sec. 101. Scholarship programs for educators of rural students
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Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: The purpose of this subpart is to provide a more stable base of education professionals to serve in rural public elementary schools and secondary schools, local educational agencies, and State educational agencies. In this subpart, the term Bureau-funded school has the meaning given the term in section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 ( 25 U.S.C. 2021 ).
Unless otherwise specified, a scholarship grant under this subpart shall have the terms and conditions described in this section. The written contract between the Secretary and the individual receiving a scholarship grant under this subpart shall contain the following: A statement that the Secretary agrees to provide the individual with a scholarship in accordance with section 259B or 259C, as the case may be. A statement that the individual agrees— to accept the relevant scholarship under this subpart; to maintain enrollment in the course of study for which the scholarship was awarded until the individual completes the course of study; while enrolled in such course of study, to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined by the Secretary, taking into account the requirements of the institution of higher education offering such course of study); and to serve, through full-time employment at an eligible school or eligible service employer (as described under section 259B or 259C, as the case may be), for a time period (referred to in this section as the period of obligated service ) equal to the greater of— 1 year for the equivalent of each school year for which the individual was provided a scholarship under this subpart; or 3 years.
A statement of the damages to which the United States is entitled, under subsection (d), for the individual's breach of the contract. Any other relevant statements of the rights and liabilities of the Secretary and of the individual, in accordance with the provisions of this subpart. The recipient of a scholarship grant under this subpart shall be required to carry out a period of obligated service, as described in paragraph (1)(B)(iv). At the request of an individual who has entered into a contract described in this subsection, the Secretary shall grant a deferment for the period of obligated service of such individual under such contract for any of the following reasons:
For advanced study to enable such individual to complete a course of study leading to an advanced degree in elementary or secondary education or school administration, or needed to become certified by a State or Indian tribe to teach, for an appropriate period (in years, as determined by the Secretary). For family or medical leave for a period in alignment with section 102 of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 ( 29 U.S.C. 2612 ) and as approved by the Secretary. If the individual is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a member of such Armed Forces in a retired status, and such individual is called or ordered to active duty (as defined in section 101(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code), such individual shall be eligible for a deferment during the period of active duty and for an appropriate period (as determined by the Secretary) after returning from active duty.
A deferment granted under clause
(i)shall be subject to the following conditions: The deferment period shall not be counted as satisfying any period of obligated service that is required under this section. The period of obligated service of the individual shall commence at the later of— 90 days after the completion of the deferment period; the commencement of the first school year at the school where the individual has been hired that begins after the completion of the deferment; or a date specified by the Secretary. In the case of an individual receiving a scholarship under this subpart who is enrolled part-time in an approved course of study— a scholarship under this subpart shall be for a period of years not to exceed the part-time equivalent of 4 years, as determined by the Secretary; the period of obligated service shall be equal to the greater of— 1 year for the equivalent of each full-time academic year for which the individual was provided a scholarship (as determined by the Secretary by adding the fractions of a full-time academic year that each period of part-time attendance comprises); or 3 years; and the amount of the monthly stipend specified in subsection
(c)shall be reduced pro rata, as determined by the Secretary, based on the number of hours of study in which such individual is enrolled. A scholarship provided to a student under this subpart for a school year shall equal the amount of— the tuition of the student; all other reasonable educational expenses incurred by the student in such school year, including fees, books, laboratory expenses, and other expenses as determined by the Secretary; and a stipend of $800 per month (adjusted in accordance with paragraph (3)) for each of the 12 consecutive months beginning with the first month of such school year. The Secretary may contract with an institution of higher education in which a participant in the scholarship program under this subpart is enrolled for the payment to such institution on behalf of the student of the amounts of tuition and other reasonable educational expenses described in subparagraphs
(A)and
(B)of paragraph (1). Payment to such institution may be made without regard to subsections
(a)and
(b)of section 3324 of title 31, United States Code. The amount of the monthly stipend described in paragraph (1)(C) shall be increased by the Secretary for each school year ending in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2018, by the amount (rounded to the next highest multiple of $1) equal to the amount of such stipend multiplied by the percentage adjustment in the rates of pay under the General Schedule taking effect under section 5303 of title 5, United States Code, during the fiscal year in which such school year ends (if such adjustment is an increase). An individual who has entered into a written contract with the Secretary under this section shall be liable to the United States for the amount that has been paid to, or on behalf of, such individual under the contract, if such individual— fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the institution of higher education in which the individual is enrolled (as determined by the Secretary taking into account the requirements of the institution of higher education offering such course of study); is dismissed from such institution of higher education for disciplinary reasons; voluntarily terminates the training in such institution of higher education for which such individual is provided a scholarship under such contract before the completion of such training; or fails to accept payment, or instructs the institution of higher education in which such individual is enrolled not to accept payment, under this section. An individual who has entered into a written contract with the Secretary under this section may petition the Secretary to delay the date on which the individual would otherwise be required to begin the period of obligated service if such individual has not succeeded in obtaining employment required by this section. In support of such petition, the individual shall supply such reasonable information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall retain full discretion regarding the decision about whether to grant or decline such a delay and to determine the duration of any delay that is granted. An individual who has entered into a written contract with the Secretary under this section and who is liable for any amount of damages which the United States is entitled to recover under this subsection shall— begin payment of such damages to the United States within 1 year of the date of the breach or on such later date as specified by the Secretary; and repay the amount of such damages in full following a schedule and by a deadline determined by the Secretary. If damages described in subparagraph
(A)are delinquent for 3 months, the Secretary shall, for the purpose of recovering such damages— utilize collection agencies contracted with by the Administrator of the General Services Administration; or enter into contracts for the recovery of such damages with collection agencies selected by the Secretary. Each contract for recovering damages pursuant to this paragraph shall provide that the contractor will, not less than once every 6 months, submit to the Secretary a status report on the success of the contractor in collecting such damages. Section 3718 of title 31, United States Code, shall apply to any such contract to the extent not inconsistent with this subsection. Upon the death of an individual who receives, or has received, a scholarship under this subpart, any obligation of such individual for service or payment that relates to such scholarship shall be canceled. The Secretary shall provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any obligation of service or payment of a recipient of a scholarship under this subpart, if the Secretary determines that— it is not possible for the recipient to meet the obligation or make the payment; requiring the recipient to meet the obligation or make the payment would result in extreme hardship to the recipient; or the enforcement of the requirement to meet the obligation or make the payment would be unconscionable. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for other good cause shown, the Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, the right of the United States to recover funds made available under this section. Subject to subparagraph (B), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to a recipient of a scholarship under this subpart, no obligation for payment may be released by a discharge in bankruptcy under title 11. The prohibition described in subparagraph
(A)shall not apply if— such discharge is granted after the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the initial date on which that payment is due; and the bankruptcy court finds that the nondischarge of the obligation would be unconscionable. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual receiving a scholarship under this subpart shall continue to be eligible for any other grant programs and loan forgiveness programs for which the individual would otherwise be eligible. The Secretary shall provide to each eligible applicant who is accepted for a scholarship under this section with a scholarship grant in each school year or years for a period during which such individual is pursuing a course of study in elementary or secondary education or school administration at an institution of higher education. Scholarships made under paragraph
(1)shall be designated rural student educator scholarships . The Secretary shall select which eligible applicants will receive a rural student educator scholarship under subsection (a). In order to be eligible to receive a rural student educator scholarship, an individual shall— be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a full-time or part-time student in a course of study in elementary or secondary education or school administration at an institution of higher education; submit an application to participate in the rural educator scholarship program at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall determine; and sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time that such application is submitted, a written contract as described in section 259A(b), which shall include a commitment to serve through full-time employment at an eligible school for the period of obligated service. An individual shall be considered to be serving, through full-time employment at an eligible school, as required under section 259A(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the individual is employed full-time in a public elementary school or secondary school that is served by a local educational agency that is eligible to receive assistance under part B of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The Secretary shall assist the recipient of a rural educator scholarship in learning about placement opportunities in eligible schools by transmitting the name and educational credentials of such recipient to— State educational agency clearinghouses for recruitment and placement of kindergarten, elementary school, and secondary school teachers and administrators in States receiving assistance under title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; elementary schools and secondary schools that are Bureau-funded schools; and tribal education agencies. The Secretary shall make scholarship grants in accordance with this section to individuals who are enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in institutions of higher education and pursuing a graduate level course of study in education or school administration. Scholarships made under paragraph
(1)shall be designated rural educator graduate fellowships . The Secretary shall select which eligible applicants will receive a rural educator graduate fellowship under subsection (a). In order to be eligible to receive a rural educator graduate fellowship, an individual shall— be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a full-time or part-time student in a graduate level course of study in education or school administration at an institution of higher education; submit an application to participate in the rural educator graduate fellowship program at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall determine; and sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time that such application is submitted, a written contract as described in section 259A, which shall include a commitment to serve through full-time employment at an eligible service employer for the period of obligated service. An individual shall be considered to be serving, through full-time employment at an eligible service employer, as required under section 259A(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the individual is employed full-time in a public elementary school or secondary school that is served by a local educational agency that is eligible to receive assistance under part B of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The Secretary shall assist the recipient of a rural educator graduate fellowship in learning about placement opportunities in eligible service employers in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate. .
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