50 USC 2444 - Nonproliferation and national security scholarship and fellowship program

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 2444.

Nonproliferation and national security scholarship and fellowship program

(a)

Establishment

(b)

Eligible individuals

An individual shall be eligible for a scholarship or fellowship under the program established under this section if the individual—

(1)

is a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence;

(2)

has been accepted for enrollment or is currently enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)));

(3)

is pursuing a program of education that leads to an appropriate higher education degree in a qualifying field of study, as determined by the Administrator;

(4)

enters into an agreement described in subsection (c); and

(5)

meets such other requirements as the Administrator prescribes.

(c)

Agreement

An individual seeking a scholarship or fellowship under the program established under this section shall enter into an agreement, in writing, with the Administrator that includes the following:

(1)

The agreement of the Administrator to provide such individual with a scholarship or fellowship in the form of educational assistance for a specified number of school years (not to exceed five school years) during which such individual is pursuing a program of education in a qualifying field of study, which educational assistance may include payment of tuition, fees, books, laboratory expenses, and a stipend.

(2)

The agreement of such individual—

(A)

to accept such educational assistance;

(B)

to maintain enrollment and attendance in a program of education described in subsection (b)(2) until such individual completes such program;

(C)

while enrolled in such program, to maintain satisfactory academic progress in such program, as determined by the institution of higher education in which such individual is enrolled; and

(D)

after completion of such program, to serve as a full-time employee in a nonproliferation or national security position in the Department of Energy or at a laboratory of the Department for a period of not less than 12 months for each school year or part of a school year for which such individual receives a scholarship or fellowship under the program established under this section.

(3)

The agreement of such individual with respect to the repayment requirements specified in subsection (d).

(d)

Repayment

(1)

In general

An individual receiving a scholarship or fellowship under the program established under this section shall agree to pay to the United States the total amount of educational assistance provided to such individual under such program, plus interest at the rate prescribed by paragraph (4), if such individual—

(A)

does not complete the program of education agreed to pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(B);

(B)

completes such program of education but declines to serve in a position in the Department of Energy or at a laboratory of the Department as agreed to pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(D); or

(C)

is voluntarily separated from service or involuntarily separated for cause from the Department of Energy or a laboratory of the Department before the end of the period for which such individual agreed to continue in the service of the Department pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(D).

(2)

Failure to repay

If an individual who received a scholarship or fellowship under the program established under this section is required to repay, pursuant to an agreement under paragraph (1), the total amount of educational assistance provided to such individual under such program, plus interest at the rate prescribed by paragraph (4), and fails to repay such amount, a sum equal to such amount (plus such interest) is recoverable by the United States Government from such individual or the estate of such individual by—

(A)

in the case of an individual who is an employee of the United States Government, setoff against accrued pay, compensation, amount of retirement credit, or other amount due the employee from the Government; or

(B)

such other method as is provided by law for the recovery of amounts owed to the Government.

(3)

Waiver of repayment

(4)

Rate of interest

(e)

Preference for cooperative education students

(f)

Coordination of benefits

(g)

Report to Congress

(h)

Funding

(Pub. L. 110–417, div. C, title XXXI, § 3113, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4754; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(e)(19), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4375.)

cite as: 50 USC 2444