§1057 Program Purpose

Summary

The Secretary of Education must run a grant program to help eligible colleges and universities improve teaching quality, campus management, and financial stability so they can be more self-sufficient and better serve higher education across the country. Using the money set aside for this part, the Secretary can give grants to schools with approved applications to plan, start, or carry out activities that will strengthen the institution. Extra consideration is given to schools with low endowment money per student or low library spending per student, and to proposals that focus on things like faculty development, money and administrative management, improving academic programs, buying equipment, sharing facilities (like libraries or labs), and student services for special groups. Grants can pay for things such as lab and scientific equipment; building, fixing, or updating classrooms, libraries, and labs; faculty training and fellowships; academic program improvement; library materials; tutoring, counseling, and student-retention programs (including remedial and English instruction); financial literacy services; administrative and funds management; shared facilities; development offices; creating or growing an endowment; and internet or distance-education technology. No more than 20 percent of a grant may go into an endowment, and the school must match any endowment money from non‑Federal sources at least dollar for dollar. Other part C rules about endowments apply if they do not conflict with these limits.