PART T--CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR VETERAN STUDENT SUCCESS 

SEC. 873 MODEL PROGRAMS FOR CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR VETERAN STUDENT 

SUCCESS. 

 (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to encourage model 

programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education 

by coordinating services to address the academic, financial, physical, 

and social needs of veteran students. 

 (b) Grants Authorized.-- 

 (1) In general.--Subject to the availability of 

appropriations under subsection (f), the Secretary shall award grants 

to institutions of higher education to develop model programs to 

support veteran student success in postsecondary education. 

 (2) Grant period.--A grant awarded under this section shall 

be awarded for a period of three years. 

 (c) Use of Grants.-- 

 (1) Required activities.--An institution of higher 

education receiving a grant under this section shall use such grant to 

carry out a model program that includes-- 

 (A) establishing a Center of Excellence for Veteran 

Student Success on the campus of the institution to provide a single 

point of contact to coordinate comprehensive support services for 

veteran students; 

 (B) establishing a veteran student support team, 

including representatives from the offices of the institution 

responsible for admissions, registration, financial aid, veterans 

benefits, academic advising, student health, personal or mental health 

counseling, career advising, disabilities services, and any other 

office of the institution that provides support to veteran students on 

campus; 

 (C) providing a coordinator whose primary 

responsibility is to coordinate the model program carried out under 

this section; 

 (D) monitoring the rates of veteran student 

enrollment, persistence, and completion; and 

 (E) developing a plan to sustain the Center of 

Excellence for Veteran Student Success after the grant period. 

 (2) Other authorized activities.--An institution of higher 

education receiving a grant under this section may use such 

grant to carry out any of the following activities with respect to 

veteran students: 

 (A) Outreach and recruitment of such students. 

 (B) Supportive instructional services for such 

students, which may include-- 

 (i) personal, academic, and career 

counseling, as an ongoing part of the program; 

 (ii) tutoring and academic skill-building 

instruction assistance, as needed; and 

 (iii) assistance with special admissions and 

transfer of credit from previous postsecondary education or experience. 

 (C) Assistance in obtaining student financial aid. 

 (D) Housing support for veteran students living in 

institutional facilities and commuting veteran students. 

 (E) Cultural events, academic programs, orientation 

programs, and other activities designed to ease the transition to 

campus life for veteran students. 
 (F) Support for veteran student organizations and 

veteran student support groups on campus. 

 (G) Coordination of academic advising and 

admissions counseling with military bases and national guard units in 

the area. 

 (H) Other support services the institution 

determines to be necessary to ensure the success of veterans in 

achieving educational and career goals. 

 (d) Application; Selection.-- 

 (1) Application.--To be considered for a grant under this 

section, an institution of higher education shall submit to the 

Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied 

by such information as the Secretary may require. 

 (2) Selection considerations.--In awarding grants under 

this section, the Secretary shall consider-- 

 (A) the number of veteran students enrolled at an 

institution of higher education; and 

 (B) the need for model programs to address the 

needs of veteran students at a wide range of institutions of higher 

education, including the need to provide-- 

 (i) an equitable distribution of such grants 

to institutions of higher education of various types and sizes; 

 (ii) an equitable geographic distribution of 

such grants; and 

 (iii) an equitable distribution of such 

grants among rural and urban areas. 

 (e) Evaluation and Accountability Plan.--The Secretary shall 

develop an evaluation and accountability plan for model programs funded 

under this section to objectively measure the impact of such programs, 

including a measure of whether postsecondary education enrollment, 

persistence, and completion for veterans increases as a result of such 

programs. 

 (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 

appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 

for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.