PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Secretary can waive certain college eligibility rules so some schools can get federal need-based student aid. Waivers can be given to schools that are heavily paid for by their State and charge little or no tuition; that enroll a large share of low-income students; that greatly expand opportunities for low-income, underrepresented, or minority students; that are opening access in rural or isolated areas with no nearby colleges; or that, wherever they are, will greatly improve access for Hispanic Americans. The Secretary can also waive another eligibility rule if a school shows clear evidence that special factors unfairly changed the usual test of compliance and the school otherwise fits the program’s goals. Every other year the Secretary must send Congress a report naming the schools given eligibility despite not meeting that rule, explaining the distorting factors considered, and stating the reasons for each decision.

Title 20, §1103a

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Waiver requirements; need-based assistance students

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)Waiver determinations; expenditures

(1)Waiver determinations

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)Expenditures

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.

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.

§1103a Waiver Authority and Reporting Requirement

Summary

Title 20, §1103a

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Citations & Metadata