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[1] See Codification note below.
§ 2327. Tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institutions
(a)
Grants authorized
The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, make grants pursuant to this section to tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institutions that are not receiving Federal support under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or the Navajo Community College Act (25 U.S.C. 640a et seq.) to provide basic support for the education and training of Indian students.
(b)
Use of grants
Amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used for institutional support of vocational and technical education programs.
(c)
Amount of grants
(1)
In general
If the sums appropriated for any fiscal year for grants under this section are not sufficient to pay in full the total amount which approved applicants are eligible to receive under this section for such fiscal year, the Secretary shall first allocate to each such applicant who received funds under this part for the preceding fiscal year an amount equal to 100 percent of the product of the per capita payment for the preceding fiscal year and such applicant’s Indian student count for the current program year, plus an amount equal to the actual cost of any increase to the per capita figure resulting from inflationary increases to necessary costs beyond the institution’s control.
(2)
Per capita determination
For the purposes of paragraph (1), the per capita payment for any fiscal year shall be determined by dividing the amount available for grants to tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institutions under this section for such program year by the sum of the Indian student counts of such institutions for such program year. The Secretary shall, on the basis of the most accurate data available from the institutions, compute the Indian student count for any fiscal year for which such count was not used for the purpose of making allocations under this section.
(d)
Applications
Any tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institution that is not receiving Federal support under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or the Navajo Community College Act (25 U.S.C. 640a et seq.) that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary in such manner and form as the Secretary may require.
(e)
Expenses
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide for each program year to each tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institution having an application approved by the Secretary, an amount necessary to pay expenses associated with—
(A)
the maintenance and operation of the program, including development costs, costs of basic and special instruction (including special programs for individuals with disabilities and academic instruction), materials, student costs, administrative expenses, boarding costs, transportation, student services, daycare and family support programs for students and their families (including contributions to the costs of education for dependents), and student stipends;
(B)
capital expenditures, including operations and maintenance, and minor improvements and repair, and physical plant maintenance costs, for the conduct of programs funded under this section;
(f)
Other programs
(1)
In general
Except as specifically provided in this chapter, eligibility for assistance under this section shall not preclude any tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institution from receiving Federal financial assistance under any program authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.], or any other applicable program for the benefit of institutions of higher education or vocational and technical education.
(3)
Prohibition on contract denial
No tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institution for which an Indian tribe has designated a portion of the funds appropriated for the tribe from funds appropriated under section
13 of title
25 may be denied a contract for such portion under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act [25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.] (except as provided in that Act), or denied appropriate contract support to administer such portion of the appropriated funds.
(g)
Needs estimate and report on facilities and facilities improvement
(1)
Needs estimate
The Secretary shall, based on the most accurate data available from the institutions and Indian tribes whose Indian students are served under this section, and in consideration of employment needs, economic development needs, population training needs, and facilities needs, prepare an actual budget needs estimate for each institution eligible under this section for each subsequent program year, and submit such budget needs estimate to Congress in such a timely manner as will enable the appropriate committees of Congress to consider such needs data for purposes of the uninterrupted flow of adequate appropriations to such institutions. Such data shall take into account the purposes and requirements of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.].
(2)
Study of training and housing needs
(A)
In general
The Secretary shall conduct a detailed study of the training, housing, and immediate facilities needs of each institution eligible under this section. The study shall include an examination of—
(B)
Report
The Secretary shall report to Congress not later than July 1, 2000, on the results of the study required by subparagraph (A).
(3)
Long-term study of facilities
(A)
In general
The Secretary shall provide for the conduct of a long-term study of the facilities of each institution eligible for assistance under this section.
(B)
Contents
The study required by subparagraph (A) shall include a 5-year projection of training facilities, equipment, and housing needs and shall consider such factors as projected service population, employment, and economic development forecasting, based on the most current and accurate data available from the institutions and Indian tribes affected.
(C)
Submission
The Secretary shall submit to Congress a detailed report on the results of such study not later than the end of the 18-month period beginning on October 31, 1998.[1]
(h)
Definitions
In this section:
(2)
Indian student count
The term “Indian student count” means a number equal to the total number of Indian students enrolled in each tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical institution, determined as follows:
(B)
Summer term
Credits or clock hours toward a certificate earned in classes offered during a summer term shall be counted toward the computation of the Indian student count in the succeeding fall term.
(C)
Admission criteria
Credits or clock hours toward a certificate earned in classes during a summer term shall be counted toward the computation of the Indian student count if the institution at which the student is in attendance has established criteria for the admission of such student on the basis of the student’s ability to benefit from the education or training offered. The institution shall be presumed to have established such criteria if the admission procedures for such studies include counseling or testing that measures the student’s aptitude to successfully complete the course in which the student has enrolled. No credit earned by such student for purposes of obtaining a secondary school degree or its recognized equivalent shall be counted toward the computation of the Indian student count.
(i)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
[1] See Codification note below.
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