§ 1057.
(b)
Grants awarded; special consideration
(1)
From the sums available for this part under
section 1068h(a)(1) of this title, the Secretary may award grants to any eligible institution with an application approved under
section 1068 of this title in order to assist such an institution to plan, develop, or implement activities that promise to strengthen the institution.
(2)
Special consideration shall be given to any eligible institution—
(A)
which has endowment funds (other than any endowment fund built under
section 1065 of this title as in effect on
September 30, 1986, and under part B) the market value of which, per full-time equivalent student, is less than the average current market value of the endowment funds, per full-time equivalent student (other than any endowment fund built under
section 1065 of this title as in effect on
September 30, 1986, and under part B) at similar institutions; or
(B)
which has expenditures per full-time equivalent student for library materials which is less than the average of the expenditures for library materials per full-time equivalent student by other similarly situated institutions.
(3)
Special consideration shall be given to applications which propose, pursuant to the institution’s plan, to engage in—
(B)
funds and administrative management;
(C)
development and improvement of academic programs;
(D)
acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management and academic programs;
(E)
joint use of facilities such as libraries and laboratories; and
(F)
student services, including services that will assist in the education of special populations.
(c)
Authorized activities
Grants awarded under this section shall be used for 1 or more of the following activities:
(1)
Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes.
(2)
Construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other instructional facilities, including the integration of computer technology into institutional facilities to create smart buildings.
(3)
Support of faculty exchanges, faculty development, and faculty fellowships to assist in attaining advanced degrees in the field of instruction of the faculty.
(4)
Development and improvement of academic programs.
(5)
Purchase of library books, periodicals, and other educational materials, including telecommunications program material.
(6)
Tutoring, counseling, and student service programs designed to improve academic success, including innovative, customized, instruction courses designed to help retain students and move the students rapidly into core courses and through program completion, which may include remedial education and English language instruction.
(7)
Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students or the students’ families.
(8)
Funds management, administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management.
(9)
Joint use of facilities, such as laboratories and libraries.
(10)
Establishing or improving a development office to strengthen or improve contributions from alumni and the private sector.
(11)
Establishing or improving an endowment fund.
(12)
Creating or improving facilities for Internet or other distance education technologies, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services.
(13)
(A)
contribute to carrying out the purposes of the program assisted under this part; and
(B)
are approved by the Secretary as part of the review and acceptance of such application.
([Pub. L. 89–329, title III, § 311], as added [Pub. L. 99–498, title III, § 301(a)], Oct. 17, 1986, [100 Stat. 1291]; amended [Pub. L. 100–50, § 2(a)(1)], June 3, 1987, [101 Stat. 335]; [Pub. L. 105–244, title III], §§ 301(c)(1), 303(a), Oct. 7, 1998, [112 Stat. 1636], 1638; [Pub. L. 110–315, title III, § 301], Aug. 14, 2008, [122 Stat. 3166].)