I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2519 
To support the education of Indian children. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 6, 2023 
Mr. RUIZ introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To support the education of Indian children. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Native Educator Sup-
port and Training Act’’ or the ‘‘NEST Act’’. 
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TITLE I—STUDENT ASSISTANCE 
PART A—SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE STUDY OF 
EDUCATION AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 101. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS OF 
INDIAN STUDENTS AND INDIAN EDUCATORS. 
Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 1031 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘Subpart 6—Indian Educator Scholarship Program 
‘‘SEC. 259A. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purposes of this subpart are— 
‘‘(1) to carry out the United States trust re-
sponsibility for the education of Indian children; and 
‘‘(2) to provide a more stable base of education 
professionals with an understanding of the needs of 
Indian students to serve in early childhood education 
programs, public elementary schools and secondary 
schools, schools funded by the Bureau of Indian 
Education, the Department of Education, State edu-
cational agencies, tribal education agencies, and 
local educational agencies. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this subpart: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘Indian’ shall have the meaning 
given that term in section 316. 
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‘‘(2) The term ‘Bureau-funded school’ shall 
have the meaning given that term in section 1141 of 
the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 
2021). 
‘‘(3) The term ‘Native-serving institution of 
higher education’ shall mean any institution of high-
er education eligible under section 316, 317, or 319. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘tribal educational agency’ shall 
have the meaning given the term in section 6132 of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452). 
‘‘(5) The term ‘Bureau of Indian Education 
early childhood development program’ means a pro-
gram operating under a grant authorized by section 
1139 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 
U.S.C. 2019). 
‘‘(6) The term ‘tribal early childhood education 
program’ shall mean any of the following programs: 
‘‘(A) An American Indian or Alaska Native 
Head Start or Early Head Start program car-
ried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9831 et seq.). 
‘‘(B) A tribal child care and development 
program carried out under the Child Care and 
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Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 9858 et seq.). 
‘‘(C) A program serving children from 
birth through age 6 that— 
‘‘(i) receives funding support from the 
Native American language preservation 
and maintenance program carried out 
under section 803C of the Native Amer-
ican Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
2991b–3); 
‘‘(ii) is a tribal prekindergarten pro-
gram; 
‘‘(iii) is a program authorized under 
section 619 or part C of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1419; 20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.); or 
‘‘(iv) is a center-based or group-based 
early childhood learning or development 
program that the Secretary determines 
shall be included under this definition, 
after receiving a request from an Indian 
tribe. 
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‘‘SEC. 259B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP 
CONTRACTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Unless otherwise specified, a 
scholarship grant under this subpart shall have the terms 
and conditions described in this section. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF CONTRACT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The written contract be-
tween the Secretary and the individual receiving a 
scholarship grant under this subpart shall contain 
the following: 
‘‘(A) A statement that the Secretary 
agrees to provide the individual with a scholar-
ship in accordance with section 259C, 259D, or 
259E, as the case may be. 
‘‘(B) A statement that the individual 
agrees— 
‘‘(i) to accept the relevant scholarship 
under this subpart; 
‘‘(ii) to maintain enrollment in the 
course of study for which the scholarship 
was awarded until the individual completes 
the course of study; 
‘‘(iii) while enrolled in such course of 
study, to maintain an acceptable level of 
academic standing (as determined by the 
Secretary, taking into account the require-
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ments of the institution of higher edu-
cation offering such course of study); and 
‘‘(iv) to serve, through full-time em-
ployment at an eligible school or eligible 
service employer (as described under sec-
tion 259C, 259D, or 259E, as the case 
may be), for a time period (referred to in 
this section as the ‘period of obligated 
service’) equal to the greater of— 
‘‘(I) 1 year for the equivalent of 
each school year for which the indi-
vidual was provided a scholarship 
under this subpart; or 
‘‘(II) 3 years. 
‘‘(C) A statement of the damages to which 
the United States is entitled, under subsection 
(d), for the individual’s breach of the contract. 
‘‘(D) Any other relevant statements of the 
rights and liabilities of the Secretary and of the 
individual, in accordance with the provisions of 
this subpart. 
‘‘(2) PERIOD OF OBLIGATED SERVICE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The recipient of a 
scholarship grant under this subpart shall be 
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required to carry out a period of obligated serv-
ice, as described in paragraph (1)(B)(iv). 
‘‘(B) DEFERMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—At the request of 
an individual who has entered into a con-
tract described in this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall grant a deferment for the pe-
riod of obligated service of such individual 
under such contract for any of the fol-
lowing reasons: 
‘‘(I) ADVANCED STUDY.—For ad-
vanced study to enable such individual 
to complete a course of study— 
‘‘(aa) leading to an ad-
vanced degree in early childhood 
education, elementary or sec-
ondary education or school ad-
ministration; or 
‘‘(bb) needed to become cer-
tified by a State or Indian tribe 
to teach, for an appropriate pe-
riod (in years, as determined by 
the Secretary). 
‘‘(II) 
FAMILY
AND
MEDICAL 
LEAVE.—For family or medical leave 
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for a period in alignment with section 
102 of the Family and Medical Leave 
Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2612) and as 
approved by the Secretary. 
‘‘(III) MILITARY
SERVICE.—If 
the individual is a member of the Na-
tional Guard or other reserve compo-
nent of the Armed Forces of the 
United States, or a member of such 
Armed Forces in a retired status, and 
such individual is called or ordered to 
active duty (as defined in section 
101(d)(1) of title 10, United States 
Code), such individual shall be eligible 
for a deferment during the period of 
active duty and for an appropriate pe-
riod (as determined by the Secretary) 
after returning from active duty. 
‘‘(ii) CONDITIONS OF DEFERMENT.— 
A deferment granted under this subpara-
graph shall be subject to the following con-
ditions: 
‘‘(I) The deferment period shall 
not be counted as satisfying any pe-
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riod of obligated service that is re-
quired under this section. 
‘‘(II) The period of obligated 
service of the individual shall com-
mence at the later of— 
‘‘(aa) 90 days after the com-
pletion of the deferment period; 
‘‘(bb) the commencement of 
the first school year at the school 
where the individual has been 
hired that begins after the com-
pletion of the deferment; or 
‘‘(cc) a date specified by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(C) PART-TIME STUDY.—In the case of 
an individual receiving a scholarship under this 
subpart who is enrolled part-time in an ap-
proved course of study— 
‘‘(i) a scholarship under this subpart 
shall be for a period of years not to exceed 
the part-time equivalent of 4 years, as de-
termined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) the period of obligated service 
shall be equal to the greater of— 
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‘‘(I) 1 year for the equivalent of 
each full-time academic year for which 
the individual was provided a scholar-
ship (as determined by the Secretary 
by adding the fractions of a full-time 
academic year that each period of 
part-time attendance comprises); or 
‘‘(II) 2 years; and 
‘‘(iii) the amount of the monthly sti-
pend specified in subsection (c) shall be re-
duced pro rata, as determined by the Sec-
retary, based on the number of hours of 
study in which such individual is enrolled. 
‘‘(c) SCHOLARSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A scholarship provided to a 
student under this subpart for a school year shall 
equal the amount of— 
‘‘(A) the tuition of the student; 
‘‘(B) all other reasonable educational ex-
penses incurred by the student in such school 
year, including fees, books, laboratory expenses, 
and other expenses as determined by the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(C) a stipend of $800 per month (ad-
justed in accordance with paragraph (3)) for 
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each of the 12 consecutive months beginning 
with the first month of such school year. 
‘‘(2) PAYMENT TO AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER 
EDUCATION.—The Secretary may contract with an 
institution of higher education in which a participant 
in the scholarship program under this subpart is en-
rolled for the payment to such institution on behalf 
of the student of the amounts of tuition and other 
reasonable educational expenses described in sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1). Payment 
to such institution may be made without regard to 
subsections (a) and (b) of section 3324 of title 31, 
United States Code. 
‘‘(3) STIPEND.—The amount of the monthly 
stipend described in paragraph (1)(C) shall be in-
creased by the Secretary for each school year ending 
in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2024, 
by the amount (rounded to the next highest multiple 
of $1) equal to the amount of such stipend multi-
plied by the percentage adjustment in the rates of 
pay under the General Schedule taking effect under 
section 5303 of title 5, United States Code, during 
the fiscal year in which such school year ends (if 
such adjustment is an increase). 
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‘‘(d) LIABILITY; FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE PE-
RIOD OF OBLIGATED SERVICE; REPAYMENT.— 
‘‘(1) LIABILITY.—An individual who has en-
tered into a written contract with the Secretary 
under this section shall be liable to the United 
States for the amount which has been paid to, or on 
behalf of, such individual under the contract, if such 
individual— 
‘‘(A) fails to maintain an acceptable level 
of academic standing in the institution of high-
er education in which the individual is enrolled 
(as determined by the Secretary taking into ac-
count the requirements of the institution of 
higher education offering such course of study); 
‘‘(B) is dismissed from such institution of 
higher education for disciplinary reasons; 
‘‘(C) voluntarily terminates the training in 
such institution of higher education for which 
such individual is provided a scholarship under 
such contract before the completion of such 
training; or 
‘‘(D) fails to accept payment, or instructs 
the institution of higher education in which 
such individual is enrolled not to accept pay-
ment, under this section. 
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‘‘(2) FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE PERIOD OF 
OBLIGATED SERVICE.—An individual who has en-
tered into a written contract with the Secretary 
under this section may petition the Secretary to 
delay the date on which the individual would other-
wise be required to begin the period of obligated 
service if such individual has not succeeded in ob-
taining employment required by this section. In sup-
port of such petition, the individual shall supply 
such reasonable information as the Secretary may 
require. The Secretary shall retain full discretion re-
garding the decision about whether to grant or de-
cline such a delay and to determine the duration of 
any delay that is granted. 
‘‘(3) REPAYMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An individual who has 
entered into a written contract with the Sec-
retary under this section and who is liable for 
any amount of damages which the United 
States is entitled to recover under this sub-
section shall— 
‘‘(i) begin payment of such damages 
to the United States within 1 year of the 
date of the breach or on such later date as 
specified by the Secretary; and 
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‘‘(ii) repay the amount of such dam-
ages in full following a schedule and by a 
deadline determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) RECOVERY
OF
DAMAGES.—If dam-
ages described in subparagraph (A) are delin-
quent for 3 months, the Secretary shall, for the 
purpose of recovering such damages— 
‘‘(i) utilize collection agencies con-
tracted with by the Administrator of the 
General Services Administration; or 
‘‘(ii) enter into contracts for the re-
covery of such damages with collection 
agencies selected by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) CONTRACTS FOR RECOVERY OF DAM-
AGES.—Each contract for recovering damages 
pursuant to this paragraph shall provide that 
the contractor will, not less than once every 6 
months, submit to the Secretary a status report 
on the success of the contractor in collecting 
such damages. Section 3718 of title 31, United 
States Code, shall apply to any such contract to 
the extent not inconsistent with this subsection. 
‘‘(4) DEATH.—Upon the death of an individual 
who receives, or has received, a scholarship under 
this subpart, any obligation of such individual for 
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service or payment that relates to such scholarship 
shall be canceled. 
‘‘(5) WAIVER.— 
‘‘(A) REQUIRED WAIVER.—The Secretary 
shall provide for the partial or total waiver or 
suspension of any obligation of service or pay-
ment of a recipient of a scholarship under this 
subpart, if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(i) it is not possible for the recipient 
to meet the obligation or make the pay-
ment; 
‘‘(ii) requiring the recipient to meet 
the obligation or make the payment would 
result in extreme hardship to the recipient; 
or 
‘‘(iii) the enforcement of the require-
ment to meet the obligation or make the 
payment would be unconscionable. 
‘‘(B) 
PERMISSIBLE
WAIVER.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, for other 
good cause shown, the Secretary may waive, in 
whole or in part, the right of the United States 
to recover funds made available under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(6) BANKRUPTCY.— 
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), and notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, with respect to a recipient of a 
scholarship under this subpart, no obligation 
for payment may be released by a discharge in 
bankruptcy under title 11. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The prohibition de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) shall not apply if— 
‘‘(i) such discharge is granted after 
the expiration of the 5-year period begin-
ning on the initial date on which that pay-
ment is due; and 
‘‘(ii) the bankruptcy court finds that 
the nondischarge of the obligation would be 
unconscionable. 
‘‘(e) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of law, an individual re-
ceiving a scholarship under this subpart shall continue to 
be eligible for any other grant programs and loan forgive-
ness programs for which the individual would otherwise 
be eligible. 
‘‘SEC. 259C. INDIAN STUDENT EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
to each eligible applicant who is accepted for a schol-
arship under this section with a scholarship grant in 
each school year or years for a period during which 
such individual is pursuing a course of study in early 
childhood education, elementary or secondary edu-
cation, or school administration at an institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(2) DESIGNATION.—Scholarships made under 
paragraph (1) shall be designated ‘Indian student 
educator scholarships’. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall select 
which eligible applicants will receive an Indian stu-
dent educator scholarship under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) CRITERIA.—In order to be eligible to re-
ceive an Indian student educator scholarship, an in-
dividual shall— 
‘‘(A) be accepted for enrollment, or be en-
rolled, as a full-time or part-time student in a 
course of study in early childhood education, el-
ementary or secondary education, or school ad-
ministration at an institution of higher edu-
cation; 
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‘‘(B) submit an application to participate 
in the Indian educator scholarship program at 
such time and in such manner as the Secretary 
shall determine; and 
‘‘(C) sign and submit to the Secretary, at 
the time that such application is submitted, a 
written contract as described in section 259B, 
which shall include a commitment to serve 
through full-time employment at an eligible 
school for the period of obligated service. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS.—An individual shall be 
considered to be serving, through full-time employment at 
an 
eligible 
school, 
as 
required 
under 
section 
259B(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the individual is employed full- 
time— 
‘‘(1) in a Bureau-funded school, including a 
Bureau of Indian Education early childhood develop-
ment program; 
‘‘(2) in a public elementary school or secondary 
school that serves a significant number of Indian 
students, as determined by the Secretary in con-
sultation with Indian tribes; 
‘‘(3) in a tribal early childhood education pro-
gram; or 
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‘‘(4) in a federally-funded early childhood edu-
cation program that serves a significant number of 
Indian students, as determined by the Secretary in 
consultation with Indian tribes. 
‘‘(d) PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall 
assist the recipient of an Indian educator scholarship in 
learning about placement opportunities in eligible schools 
by transmitting the name and educational credentials of 
such recipient to— 
‘‘(1) State educational agency clearinghouses 
for recruitment and placement of early childhood, 
kindergarten, elementary school, and secondary 
school teachers and school administrators in States 
with a significant number of Indian children; 
‘‘(2) Bureau of Indian Education early child-
hood development programs; 
‘‘(3) elementary schools and secondary schools 
that are Bureau-funded schools; and 
‘‘(4) tribal educational agencies. 
‘‘SEC. 259D. INDIAN EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
to each eligible applicant who is accepted for a schol-
arship under this section with a scholarship grant in 
each school year or years for a period during which 
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such individual is pursuing a course of study in early 
childhood education, elementary or secondary edu-
cation, or school administration at an institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(2) DESIGNATION.—Scholarships made under 
paragraph (1) shall be designated ‘Indian educator 
scholarships’. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall select 
which eligible applicants will receive an Indian edu-
cator scholarship under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) CRITERIA.—In order to be eligible to re-
ceive an Indian educator scholarship, an individual 
shall— 
‘‘(A) be an Indian; 
‘‘(B) be accepted for enrollment, or be en-
rolled, as a full-time or part-time student in a 
course of study in early childhood education, el-
ementary or secondary education, or school ad-
ministration at an institution of higher edu-
cation; 
‘‘(C) submit an application to participate 
in the Indian educator scholarship program at 
such time and in such manner as the Secretary 
shall determine; and 
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‘‘(D) sign and submit to the Secretary, at 
the time that such application is submitted, a 
written contract as described in section 259B, 
which shall include a commitment to serve 
through full-time employment at an eligible 
school for the period of obligated service. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS.—An individual shall be 
considered to be serving, through full-time employment at 
an eligible school, as required under as section 
259B(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the individual is employed full- 
time— 
‘‘(1) in a Bureau-funded school, including a 
Bureau of Indian Education early childhood develop-
ment program; 
‘‘(2) in a public elementary school or secondary 
school that is in the school district of a local edu-
cational agency which is eligible during the period of 
obligated service for assistance under part A of title 
I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); 
‘‘(3) in a tribal early childhood education pro-
gram; or 
‘‘(4) in a federally-funded early childhood edu-
cation program that serves a significant number of 
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Indian students, as determined by the Secretary in 
consultation with Indian tribes. 
‘‘(d) PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall 
assist the recipient of an Indian educator scholarship in 
learning about placement opportunities in eligible schools 
by transmitting the name and educational credentials of 
such recipient to— 
‘‘(1) State educational agency clearinghouses 
for recruitment and placement of kindergarten, ele-
mentary school, and secondary school teachers and 
school administrators in States with a significant 
number of Indian children; 
‘‘(2) Bureau of Indian Education early child-
hood development programs; 
‘‘(3) elementary schools and secondary schools 
that are Bureau-funded schools; and 
‘‘(4) tribal educational agencies. 
‘‘SEC. 259E. INDIAN EDUCATOR GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make 
scholarship grants in accordance with this section to 
Indians who are enrolled on a full-time or part-time 
basis in institutions of higher education and pur-
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suing a graduate level course of study in education 
or school administration. 
‘‘(2) DESIGNATION.—Scholarships made under 
paragraph (1) shall be designated ‘Indian educator 
graduate fellowships’. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall select 
which eligible applicants will receive an Indian edu-
cator graduate fellowship under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) CRITERIA.—In order to be eligible to re-
ceive an Indian educator graduate fellowship, an in-
dividual shall— 
‘‘(A) be an Indian; 
‘‘(B) be accepted for enrollment, or be en-
rolled, as a full-time or part-time student in a 
graduate level course of study in education or 
school administration at an institution of higher 
education; 
‘‘(C) submit an application to participate 
in the Indian educator graduate fellowship pro-
gram at such time and in such manner as the 
Secretary shall determine; and 
‘‘(D) sign and submit to the Secretary, at 
the time that such application is submitted, a 
written contract as described in section 259B, 
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which shall include a commitment to serve 
through full-time employment at an eligible 
service employer for the period of obligated 
service. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE SERVICE EMPLOYERS.—An individual 
shall be considered to be serving, through full-time em-
ployment at an eligible service employer, as required under 
section 259B(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the individual is employed 
full-time— 
‘‘(1) in a Bureau-funded school; 
‘‘(2) in a public elementary school or secondary 
school that serves a significant number of Indian 
students, as determined by the Secretary in con-
sultation with Indian tribes; 
‘‘(3) by a Native-serving institution of higher 
education; 
‘‘(4) in a tribal early childhood education pro-
gram; 
‘‘(5) in a federally-funded early childhood edu-
cation program that serves a significant number of 
Indian students, as determined by the Secretary in 
consultation with Indian tribes; 
‘‘(6) for a tribal educational agency; 
‘‘(7) for a State educational agency or local 
educational agency that serves a significant number 
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of Indian students, as defined by the Secretary in 
consultation with Indian tribes; 
‘‘(8) for the Department of Education; or 
‘‘(9) for the Bureau of Indian Education. 
‘‘(d) PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall 
assist the recipient of an Indian educator graduate fellow-
ship in learning about placement opportunities in eligible 
service employers in such manner as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate.’’. 
PART B—LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR INDIAN 
EDUCATORS 
SEC. 111. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR EDUCATORS WORKING 
IN BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION-FUNDED 
SCHOOLS AND LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGEN-
CIES WITH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF AMER-
ICAN INDIAN STUDENTS. 
(a) PART B LOANS.—Section 428J of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–10) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ‘‘subject 
to paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c),’’ before 
‘‘has been employed’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the 
following: 
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‘‘(4) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS FOR EDUCATORS IN 
BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION-FUNDED SCHOOLS 
AND LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES WITH A HIGH 
PERCENTAGE
OF
AMERICAN
INDIAN
STUDENTS.— 
Notwithstanding the amount specified in paragraph 
(1) and the requirements under subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) of subsection (b)(1), the aggregate amount 
that the Secretary shall repay under this section 
shall be not less than $17,500 in the case of a bor-
rower who has been employed as a full-time teacher 
or school administrator for 5 consecutive complete 
school years as— 
‘‘(A) a teacher or school administrator in 
a local educational agency described in section 
6112(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965; or 
‘‘(B) a teacher or school administrator in 
a Bureau-funded school (as defined in section 
1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 
(25 U.S.C. 2021)).’’. 
(b) PART D LOANS.—Section 460 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087j) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1) by inserting ‘‘subject to 
paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c),’’ before 
‘‘has been employed’’; and 
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(2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(4) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS FOR EDUCATORS IN 
BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION-FUNDED SCHOOLS 
AND LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES WITH A HIGH 
PERCENTAGE
OF
AMERICAN
INDIAN
STUDENTS.— 
Notwithstanding the amount specified in paragraph 
(1) and the requirements under subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) of subsection (b)(1), the aggregate amount 
that the Secretary shall cancel under this section 
shall be not less than $17,500 in the case of a bor-
rower who has been employed as a full-time teacher 
or school administrator for 5 consecutive complete 
school years as— 
‘‘(A) a teacher or school administrator in 
a local educational agency described in section 
6112(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965; or 
‘‘(B) a teacher or school administrator in 
a Bureau-funded school (as defined in section 
1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 
(25 U.S.C. 2021)).’’. 
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SEC. 112. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR AMERICAN INDIAN EDU-
CATORS. 
(a) PART B LOANS.—Section 428J(c) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–10(c)), as 
amended by section 111, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS FOR AMERICAN IN-
DIAN
EDUCATORS.—Notwithstanding the amount 
specified in paragraph (1) and the requirements 
under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection 
(b)(1), the aggregate amount that the Secretary 
shall repay under this section shall be not less than 
$17,500 in the case of a borrower who— 
‘‘(A) has been employed as a full-time 
teacher or school administrator for 5 consecu-
tive complete school years in— 
‘‘(i) 
a 
Bureau-funded 
elementary 
school or secondary school (as defined in 
section 1141 of the Education Amend-
ments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021)); or 
‘‘(ii) a public elementary school or 
secondary school that is in the school dis-
trict of a local educational agency which is 
eligible during the period of obligated serv-
ice for assistance under part A of title I of 
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the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and 
‘‘(B) is a member of an Indian tribe (as 
defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 
U.S.C. 5304)).’’. 
(b) PART D LOANS.—Section 460(c) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087j(c)), as amended 
by section 111, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(5) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS FOR AMERICAN IN-
DIAN
EDUCATORS.—Notwithstanding the amount 
specified in paragraph (1) and the requirements 
under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection 
(b)(1), the aggregate amount that the Secretary 
shall cancel under this section shall be not less than 
$17,500 in the case of a borrower who— 
‘‘(A) has been employed as a full-time 
teacher or school administrator for 5 consecu-
tive complete school years in— 
‘‘(i) 
a 
Bureau-funded 
elementary 
school or secondary school (as defined in 
section 1141 of the Education Amend-
ments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021)); or 
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‘‘(ii) a public elementary school or 
secondary school that is in the school dis-
trict of a local educational agency which is 
eligible during the period of obligated serv-
ice for assistance under part A of title I of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and 
‘‘(B) is a member of an Indian tribe (as 
defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 
U.S.C. 5304)).’’. 
SEC. 113. CANCELLATION OF LOANS FOR EDUCATORS 
TEACHING 
IN 
BUREAU 
OF 
INDIAN 
EDU-
CATION-FUNDED 
SCHOOLS 
AND 
NATIVE 
AMERICAN 
LANGUAGE 
IMMERSION 
PRO-
GRAMS. 
Section 465(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ee(a)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (i)(II), by striking ‘‘or’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘or’’ after 
the semicolon; and 
(C) by inserting after clause (ii) the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(iii) in an elementary school or secondary 
school that is a Bureau-funded school (as de-
fined in section 1141 of the Education Amend-
ments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021));’’ and 
(2) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ‘‘Native 
American language immersion,’’ after ‘‘foreign lan-
guages,’’. 
TITLE II—INSTITUTIONAL AID 
PART A—PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 
FOR 
NATIVE-SERVING 
ELEMENTARY 
SCHOOLS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
SEC. 201. NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE 
PROGRAM. 
Subpart 2 of part A of title VI of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7441 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 6123. NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section are— 
‘‘(1) to improve the skills of qualified individ-
uals who are Indian (as defined by section 103 of 
the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 
2902)) or who teach Indian people; 
‘‘(2) to provide an incentive for qualified edu-
cators to continue to utilize their enhanced skills in 
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elementary schools and secondary schools serving In-
dian communities; and 
‘‘(3) to increase the retention of highly skilled 
Indian educators in elementary schools and sec-
ondary schools seeking to better incorporate Indian 
culture and history into the general curriculum. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BUREAU-FUNDED
SCHOOL.—The term 
‘Bureau-funded school’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 1141 of the Education Amendments 
of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The term ‘eligible 
entity’ means— 
‘‘(A) a State educational agency in consor-
tium with an institution of higher education; 
‘‘(B) a local educational agency in consor-
tium with an institution of higher education; 
‘‘(C) an Indian tribe or organization, in 
consortium with a local educational agency and 
an institution of higher education; 
‘‘(D) an Indian tribe or organization, in 
consortium with a Bureau-funded school and an 
institution of higher education; or 
‘‘(E) a Bureau-funded school in consor-
tium with an institution of higher education. 
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‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE EDUCATORS.—The term ‘eligible 
educator’ means— 
‘‘(A) a teacher who teaches a minimum 
number of Indian students, as determined by 
the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes; 
or 
‘‘(B) a teacher who is Indian. 
‘‘(4) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(c) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary is au-
thorized to award grants to eligible entities having applica-
tions approved under this section to enable such eligible 
entities to— 
‘‘(1) reimburse eligible educators for out-of- 
pocket costs associated with obtaining teacher cer-
tification or credentialing by the National Board for 
Professional Teaching Standards; and 
‘‘(2) provide an increase in annual compensa-
tion, in an amount equal to not less than $5,000 
and not more than a $10,000, for eligible educators 
with a certification from the National Board for 
Professional Teaching Standards for the duration of 
the grant under this section. 
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‘‘(d) APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each eligible entity desir-
ing a grant under this section shall submit an appli-
cation to the Secretary at such time, in such man-
ner, and accompanied by such information, as the 
Secretary may reasonably require. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL RULE.—In the case of an eligible 
entity desiring to utilize all or a portion of a grant 
under this section for eligible educators identified in 
subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(3) who would 
not also qualify as an eligible educator under sub-
paragraph (A) of subsection (b)(3), the eligible enti-
ty shall provide an assurance that grant funds will 
support only those educators who are tribally en-
rolled or affiliated with an Indian tribe. 
‘‘(e) AWARDING OF GRANTS.—In awarding grants 
under this section, the Secretary shall determine the 
amount and length of each grant, which shall not exceed 
5 years. 
‘‘(f) 
RESTRICTIONS
ON
COMPENSATION
IN-
CREASES.—The Secretary shall require and ensure that 
individuals who obtain a certification from the National 
Board for Professional Teaching Standards under this 
section continue to teach at a school served by the eligible 
entity through which funding for such certification was ob-
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tained as a condition of receiving annual compensation in-
creases provided for in this section. 
‘‘(g) PROGRESS REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For every year for which 
Congress allocates funds for grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall provide a report on the 
progress of the eligible entities receiving grants 
under this section in meeting applicable progress 
standards, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary shall dis-
seminate the report described in this subsection to 
each of the following: 
‘‘(A) The Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. 
‘‘(B) The Committee on Indian Affairs of 
the Senate. 
‘‘(C) The Subcommittee on Indian, Insu-
lar, and Alaska Native Affairs of the Committee 
on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
‘‘(D) The Committee on Education and the 
Workforce of the House of Representatives.’’. 
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PART B—NATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHER TRAINING 
PROGRAM GRANTS FOR NATIVE-SERVING IN-
STITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION 
SEC. 211. NATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHER TRAINING PRO-
GRAM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR TRIBAL 
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITU-
TIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT SERVE 
SIGNIFICANT 
NUMBERS 
OF 
NATIVE 
STU-
DENTS. 
Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1051 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating part G as part H; and 
(2) by inserting after part F the following: 
‘‘PART G—NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE 
TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT 
‘‘SEC. 381. NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE TEACHER TRAIN-
ING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to es-
tablish a grant program that seeks— 
‘‘(1) to increase the number of well-trained and 
pedagogically effective Native American language 
speakers in teaching and other education professions 
that serve Indian people; 
‘‘(2) to provide ongoing training and profes-
sional development to Native American immersion 
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and language instructors to improve their linguistic 
and pedagogical skills; and 
‘‘(3) to support the efforts of American Indian 
and Alaska Native communities to effectively revi-
talize, maintain, and teach their languages, as envi-
sioned in the Native American Languages Act (25 
U.S.C. 2901 et seq.) and section 803C of the Native 
American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991b– 
3). 
‘‘(b) DEFINITION
OF ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—In 
this section, the term ‘eligible institution’ means any of 
the following: 
‘‘(1) An institution eligible to receive funding 
under section 316, 317(b), or 319(b). 
‘‘(2) A consortium of 2 or more institutions de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(c) GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a program, to be known as the Native American 
Language Teacher Training Program, under which 
the Secretary shall provide grants, on a competitive 
basis, to eligible institutions to promote the recruit-
ment and training of Native immersion and lan-
guage teachers to further support the revitalization, 
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