Title 20EducationRelease 119-73

§1103a Waiver authority and reporting requirement

Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 28— - HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCES AND STUDENT ASSISTANCE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - DEVELOPING INSTITUTIONS › Part Part C— - General Provisions › § 1103a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can waive some eligibility rules so certain colleges can take part even if they would normally fail the tests. Waivers are allowed for schools that are mostly funded by their state and charge little or no tuition; that enroll a large share of low‑income students; that are clearly expanding access for disadvantaged or minority low‑income students; that are opening up opportunities in rural or isolated areas with no nearby colleges; or that, wherever they are, would greatly improve access for Hispanic Americans. The Secretary can also waive a different rule when a school gives strong evidence that the way compliance is measured is distorted by special factors and the school otherwise fits the program’s goals. Every other year the Secretary must report to Congress which schools were made eligible despite not meeting that rule, explain the distorting factors considered, and list each school with the reasons for the decision.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §1103a

Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary may waive the requirements set forth in section 1101a(a)(2)(A)(i) of this title in the case of an institution—
(1)that is extensively subsidized by the State in which the institution is located and charges low or no tuition;
(2)that serves a substantial number of low-income students as a percentage of the institution’s total student population;
(3)that is contributing substantially to increasing higher education opportunities for educationally disadvantaged, underrepresented, or minority students, who are low-income individuals;
(4)which is substantially increasing higher educational opportunities for individuals in rural or other isolated areas which are unserved by postsecondary institutions; or
(5)wherever located, if the Secretary determines that the waiver will substantially increase higher education opportunities appropriate to the needs of Hispanic Americans.
(b)(1)The Secretary may waive the requirements set forth in section 1101a(a)(2)(A)(ii) of this title if the Secretary determines, based on persuasive evidence submitted by the institution, that the institution’s failure to meet the requirements is due to factors which, when used in the determination of compliance with the requirements, distort such determination, and that the institution’s designation as an eligible institution under part A is otherwise consistent with the purposes of this subchapter.
(2)The Secretary shall submit to Congress every other year a report concerning the institutions that, although not satisfying the requirements of section 1101a(a)(2)(A)(ii) of this title, have been determined to be eligible institutions under part A. Such report shall—
(A)identify the factors referred to in paragraph (1) that were considered by the Secretary as factors that distorted the determination of compliance with clauses (i) and (ii) of section 1101a(a)(2)(A) of this title; and
(B)contain a list of each institution determined to be an eligible institution under part A including a statement of the reasons for each such determination.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 1103a, Pub. L. 89–329, title V, § 512, as added Pub. L. 102–325, title V, § 501(a), July 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 674, related to eligible recipients, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–244. Another prior section 1103a, Pub. L. 89–329, title V, § 512, as added Pub. L. 99–498, title V, § 501(a), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1496, related to selection procedures for grants to institutions offering midcareer teacher training for nontraditional students, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 102–325. A prior section 522 of Pub. L. 89–329 was classified to section 1104a of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–244. Another prior section 522 of Pub. L. 89–329 was classified to section 1105a of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 102–325. Another prior section 522 of Pub. L. 89–329 was classified to section 1112 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94–482.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 1103a

Title 20Education

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73