SEC. 124. APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
AND
APPROPRIATIONS
FOR 
HBCU AND MSI GRANTS.—For the purpose of carrying 
out sections 121 and 122, there are authorized to be ap-
propriated, and there are appropriated— 
(1) $61,050,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
(2) $199,800,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
(3) $1,189,920,000 for fiscal year 2022; 
(4) $1,237,650,000 for fiscal year 2023; 
(5) $1,287,600,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(6) $1,338,660,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(7) $1,359,750,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(8) $1,449,660,000 for fiscal year 2027; 
(9) $1,508,490,000 for fiscal year 2028; and 
(10) $1,569,540,000 for fiscal year 2029 and 
each succeeding fiscal year. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Funds appropriated under sub-
section (a) are to remain available to the Secretary until 
expended. 
(c) INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.—If the amount appro-
priated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year is not suffi-
cient to award each participating institution in the grant 
programs under sections 121 and 122 a grant under this 
subtitle that is equal to 100 percent of the grant amount 
determined under sections 121(c) and 122(c), as applica-
ble, the Secretary may ratably reduce the amount of each 
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such grant or take other actions necessary to ensure an 
equitable distribution of such amount. 
TITLE 
II—NATIONAL 
PUBLIC 
SERVICE EDUCATION GRANT 
PROGRAM 
SEC. 201. NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE EDUCATION GRANT 
PROGRAM. 
Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘Subpart 11—National Public Service Education 
Grant Program 
‘‘SEC. 
420T. 
NATIONAL 
PUBLIC 
SERVICE 
EDUCATION 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COST OF ATTENDANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘cost of at-
tendance’ means tuition, fees, on-campus room 
and board, books and supplies, personal ex-
penses, and transportation. 
‘‘(B) ON-CAMPUS ROOM AND BOARD.—The 
term ‘on-campus room and board’ means— 
‘‘(i) the cost to a student of a double 
room on campus; and 
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‘‘(ii) the cost of a resident student 
meal plan. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The term ‘eligi-
ble institution’ means a public 4-year institution of 
higher education or a private, nonprofit 4-year insti-
tution of higher education. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE STUDENT.—The term ‘eligible 
student’ means a student who— 
‘‘(A) has received an associate’s degree or 
has earned not less than 60 credits toward a 
baccalaureate degree; 
‘‘(B) is enrolled, at an eligible institution 
awarded a grant under this section, on a full- 
time basis in a course of study that will lead to 
employment in a public service job; and 
‘‘(C) has submitted a Free Application for 
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Depart-
ment. 
‘‘(4) PUBLIC SERVICE JOB.—The term ‘public 
service job’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 455(m)(3)(B). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary 
shall establish a National Public Service Education Grant 
program to assist in paying for the cost of attendance for 
an undergraduate education to students who commit to 
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work for not less than 3 years in a public service job upon 
completion of their baccalaureate degree. 
‘‘(c) GRANTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO ELIGIBLE 
INSTITUTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
grants to eligible institutions to enable the eligible 
institutions to award grants to eligible students who 
commit to work for not less than 3 years in a public 
service job upon completion of their baccalaureate 
degree. 
‘‘(2) DURATION.—Grants awarded to eligible 
institutions under this subsection shall be 5 years in 
duration. Subject to subsection (e), such a grant 
may be extended for additional 5-year periods. 
‘‘(3) AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall award a 
grant to an eligible institution under this sub-
section for a fiscal year in an amount equal to 
the lesser of— 
‘‘(i) the average annual cost of in- 
State tuition, fees, and on-campus room 
and board in the State in which the insti-
tution is located at a public 4-year institu-
tion of higher education during the fiscal 
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year multiplied by the number of eligible 
students enrolled at the institution who 
apply for a grant under this section during 
the fiscal year; or 
‘‘(ii) the actual annual cost of tuition, 
fees, and on-campus room and board at 
the eligible institution during the fiscal 
year multiplied by the number of eligible 
students enrolled at the institution who 
apply for a grant under this section during 
the fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) NONTRADITIONAL
CALENDAR.—The 
calculation of the cost of tuition, fees, and on- 
campus room and board under subparagraph 
(A) with respect to an eligible student who ap-
plies for a grant under this section for enroll-
ment during the summer or other nontradi-
tional period shall be the cost of the cost of tui-
tion, fees, and on-campus room and board for 
such summer or other nontraditional period. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall de-
sign an application for eligible institutions to partici-
pate in the grant program under this subsection that 
includes a description of how the eligible institution, 
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if awarded a grant under this subsection, will pro-
vide services to students as follows: 
‘‘(A) Provide comprehensive academic and 
student support services for eligible students 
awarded grants under this section, including 
mentoring and advising, particularly for first- 
generation and minority students. 
‘‘(B) Provide accelerated learning opportu-
nities for eligible students awarded grants 
under this section to receive their baccalaureate 
degree and any required certificate or license to 
work in their respective public service job in 
less than 2 years if an eligible student seeks to 
complete the degree in less than 2 years. 
‘‘(C) Foster opportunities for eligible stu-
dents awarded grants under this section to con-
nect with potential public service job employers 
through the Corporation for National and Com-
munity Service. 
‘‘(D) Any additional information deter-
mined necessary by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each eligible institution 
that receives a grant under subsection (c) shall 
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award grants to eligible students enrolled at the in-
stitution. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION.—An eligible student who 
desires to receive a grant under this section shall 
submit an application to the eligible institution that 
includes the following: 
‘‘(A) An agreement to work for not less 
than 3 years in a public service job upon com-
pletion of their baccalaureate degree. 
‘‘(B) Information that demonstrates that 
the student is an eligible student for purposes 
of section 484. 
‘‘(C) Information that demonstrates that 
the student has received counseling from the 
Department that explains the terms and condi-
tions of the grant award. 
‘‘(D) Any additional information deter-
mined necessary by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) GRANT AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), an eligible institution shall 
award a grant to an eligible student enrolled at 
the institution for an academic year in an 
amount equal to the total grant amount re-
ceived by the eligible institution under sub-
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section (c) for the fiscal year preceding the aca-
demic year divided by the number of students 
to whom the eligible institution awards grants 
under this subsection for such academic year. 
‘‘(B) NONTRADITIONAL
CALENDAR.—An 
eligible institution shall award a grant to an eli-
gible student who applies for a grant under this 
section for enrollment during the summer or 
other nontraditional period in an amount, from 
the total grant amount received by the eligible 
institution under subsection (c), that is pro-
rated to reflect the cost of tuition, fees, and on- 
campus room and board for such summer or 
other nontraditional period. 
‘‘(4) COST
OF
ATTENDANCE
BEYOND
GRANT 
AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) AMOUNTS NOT COVERED BY NPSEG 
GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.— 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—An eligible 
institution that is a public institution 
of higher education shall cover the ex-
cess costs to meet the difference be-
tween the in-State tuition, fees, and 
on-campus room and board at the in-
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stitution and the amount awarded to 
the eligible student through the grant 
award under paragraph (3), through a 
combination of grant and work-study 
awards under this title for which the 
eligible student may be eligible, cam-
pus-based aid programs, State-based 
merit or need-based aid, or other in-
stitutional-based merit- or need-based 
aid. An eligible institution that is a 
public institution of higher education 
may cover, with respect to an eligible 
student, any amounts of the cost of 
attendance that are in excess of the 
total amount awarded to the eligible 
student through the grant award 
under paragraph (3) and the amount 
of excess costs provided under this 
subclause based on the demonstrated 
financial need of the student. 
‘‘(II) 
STUDENT
CONTRIBU-
TION.—The eligible student shall be 
responsible for any amounts of the 
cost of attendance that are in excess 
of the total amount awarded to the el-
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igible student through the grant 
award under paragraph (3) and the 
amount of excess costs provided under 
subclause (I). The eligible student 
may be eligible for Federal student 
aid in accordance with subparagraph 
(B) for the remaining cost of attend-
ance amount for which the student is 
responsible. 
‘‘(ii) PRIVATE INSTITUTION.— 
‘‘(I) MATCHING AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(aa) IN GENERAL.—An eli-
gible institution that is a private, 
nonprofit institution of higher 
education shall— 
‘‘(AA) with respect to 
an eligible student described 
in item (bb), cover excess 
costs toward meeting an eli-
gible student’s cost of at-
tendance 
in 
an 
amount 
equal to or greater than the 
amount of the grant award 
to the eligible student de-
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scribed in paragraph (3); 
and 
‘‘(BB) with respect to 
an eligible student not de-
scribed in item (bb), not be 
obligated to provide addi-
tional institutional-based fi-
nancial aid to such student. 
‘‘(bb) 
ELIGIBLE
STU-
DENTS.—An eligible student is 
described in this item if the stu-
dent’s (or the student’s parents’ 
in the case of a dependent stu-
dent) adjusted gross income for 
the taxable year that is 1 year 
prior to the taxable year that 
ends immediately prior to the be-
ginning of the first award year of 
the program under this section is 
equal to or less than $125,000, 
indexed for inflation by regula-
tion of the Secretary. 
‘‘(cc) SOURCE OF AID.—The 
required amount described in 
item (aa)(AA) may be provided 
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through a combination of grant 
and work-study awards under 
this title for which the eligible 
student may be eligible, campus- 
based aid programs, State-based 
merit or need-based aid, or other 
institutional-based 
merit- 
or 
need-based aid. 
‘‘(II) 
STUDENT
CONTRIBU-
TION.—The eligible student shall be 
responsible for any amounts of the 
cost of attendance that are in excess 
of the total amount awarded to that 
eligible student through the grant 
award under paragraph (3) and the 
amount of excess costs provided under 
subclause (I). The eligible student 
may be eligible for Federal student 
aid in accordance with subparagraph 
(B) for the remaining cost of attend-
ance amount for which the student is 
responsible. 
‘‘(iii) STUDENT CHOICE.—An eligible 
student who receives a Federal work-study 
award by an eligible institution to meet the 
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cost of attendance beyond a grant awarded 
under this section may choose to decline 
the Federal work-study award and take 
out a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Staf-
ford Loan. An eligible institution shall be 
considered to have met the institution’s re-
sponsibilities if a student chooses to take 
out such a loan in lieu of a Federal work- 
study award. 
‘‘(B) FIRST DOLLAR AWARD.—An eligible 
institution shall consider the grant award under 
this subsection as the first dollar award, to be 
available prior to other funds awarded by the 
Department of Education under this title, the 
State involved, or the institution. 
‘‘(C) HOUSING.—An eligible student who 
receives a grant under this subsection may use 
the grant amounts for off-campus housing but 
the student may not use such grant amounts 
for any amounts for such off-campus housing 
that are in excess of the cost of on-campus 
room and board. 
‘‘(5) 
CLASSES
IN
NONTRADITIONAL
CAL-
ENDARS.—An eligible student who receives a grant 
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under this subsection may use the grant amounts for 
enrollment during any period of study. 
‘‘(e) INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each eligible institution 
that receives a grant under subsection (c) shall— 
‘‘(A) provide comprehensive academic and 
student support services for eligible students 
awarded grants under this section, including 
mentoring and advising, particularly for first- 
generation and minority students; 
‘‘(B) provide accelerated learning opportu-
nities for eligible students awarded grants 
under this section to receive their baccalaureate 
degree and any required certificate or license to 
work in their respective public service job in 
less than 2 years if an eligible student seeks to 
complete the degree in less than 2 years; and 
‘‘(C) foster opportunities for eligible stu-
dents awarded grants under this section to con-
nect with potential public service job employers 
through the Corporation for National and Com-
munity Service. 
‘‘(2) BIENNIAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each eligible institu-
tion that receives a grant under subsection (c) 
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shall submit a biennial report to the Secretary 
describing the following: 
‘‘(i) Academic and student support 
services offered to eligible students award-
ed grants under this section. 
‘‘(ii) Such students’ progress towards 
baccalaureate degree completion and grad-
uation. 
‘‘(iii) Outreach to potential public 
service job employers for the eligible stu-
dents awarded grants under this section. 
‘‘(B) CONTINUING GRANT AWARDS TO ELI-
GIBLE INSTITUTIONS.—The Secretary may con-
tinue grant awards to an eligible institution 
under subsection (c) after the initial 5-year 
grant period for additional 5-year periods if— 
‘‘(i) the institution complies with the 
requirements of paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) the eligible students awarded 
grants under this section who are enrolled 
at the institution have a baccalaureate de-
gree graduation rate that meets or exceeds 
a rate determined appropriate by the Sec-
retary. 
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‘‘(C) DISCONTINUING GRANT AWARDS TO 
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary 
may discontinue grant awards to an eligi-
ble institution under subsection (c) after 
the initial 5-year grant period based on the 
outcome of the biennial reports under sub-
paragraph (A). 
‘‘(ii) NOTIFICATION.—Prior to the 
Secretary discontinuing a grant award 
under clause (i), the Secretary shall notify 
the institution, prior to the start of the 5th 
year of the 5-year grant period, in a pub-
lically available format, that the institution 
is, or is potentially, out of compliance with 
the requirements of the grant award and 
may have the institution’s grant awards 
discontinued. 
‘‘(iii) MODIFICATIONS.—In the 5th 
year of the 5-year grant period, an eligible 
institution may make modifications to the 
institution’s grant program and appeal to 
the Secretary for a renewal of the institu-
tion’s grant. 
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‘‘(iv) DECISION.—The Secretary, prior 
to the conclusion of the 5-year grant pe-
riod, shall render a decision on whether to 
continue grant awards to an eligible insti-
tution. 
‘‘(v) REMAINING RESPONSIBILITY.—If 
the Secretary discontinues grant awards to 
an eligible institution under subsection (c), 
the institution shall be responsible for 
maintaining academic and student support 
services and providing the full remaining 
costs for eligible students awarded a grant 
under this section prior to such discontinu-
ation to receive their baccalaureate degree 
debt free. 
‘‘(3) INSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITIONS.—Each eli-
gible institution that receives a grant under sub-
section (c) may not— 
‘‘(A) use grant funds for administrative 
purposes; or 
‘‘(B) establish different tuition prices be-
tween eligible students who receive grants 
under this section and students who do not re-
ceive grants under this section for pursing the 
same course of study. 
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‘‘(f) STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) ENROLLMENT; GPA; SERVICE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—An eligible student 
awarded a grant under this section shall— 
‘‘(i) maintain full-time enrollment in 
order to complete the student’s bacca-
laureate degree in not more than 2 years; 
and 
‘‘(ii) maintain satisfactory academic 
progress, defined as a 3.0 grade point av-
erage (GPA) or higher, and meet all other 
institutional 
standards 
for 
academic 
progress. 
‘‘(B) TWO WEEKS OF SERVICE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as other-
wise provided in this subparagraph, an eli-
gible student awarded a grant under this 
section shall serve for 80 hours as a partic-
ipant in a Corporation for National and 
Community Service national service project 
for each year the eligible student receives 
the grant. The eligible institution shall as-
sist in placing the eligible student in such 
a project relevant to the eligible student’s 
course of study. Such required hours may 
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be completed at any point during the stu-
dent’s enrollment but shall be completed 
prior to the date the eligible student re-
ceives the student’s baccalaureate degree. 
‘‘(ii) OTHER PROJECT.—If an eligible 
student resides in an area without a local 
Corporation for National and Community 
Service national service project available, 
the student may instead participate in a 
service project with a community action 
agency, a local government agency, or an 
organization described in section 501(c)(3) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
‘‘(iii) 
MEDICAL
EXEMPTION.—The 
Secretary may grant an eligible student a 
medical exemption from the service com-
mitment under this subparagraph if the 
student becomes medically unable to com-
plete the service commitment over the 
course of the academic year. An eligible 
student granted such an exemption shall 
complete the service commitment upon re-
covery without risking eligibility status in 
the grant program under this section. 
‘‘(2) SATISFACTORY PROGRESS.— 
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‘‘(C) APPEALS.—In the case in which an 
eligible student awarded a grant under this sec-
tion does not maintain satisfactory academic 
progress, as described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), 
after the first academic year for which the stu-
dent received the grant, the student may appeal 
the decision to serve an additional year, as de-
scribed in subparagraph (A)(i). The appeal 
shall be made in writing to the eligible institu-
tion and include an academic plan approved by 
the student’s adviser. The academic plan shall 
show a clear pathway to graduation within 1 
year. 
‘‘(3) PUBLIC
SERVICE
JOB
WORK
OBLIGA-
TION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2)(A)(i) and subparagraph (C), an 
eligible student awarded a grant under this sec-
tion shall work for not less than 3 years in a 
public service job after receiving the student’s 
baccalaureate degree. Such 3 years (or 4 years, 
in the case of a scenario described in paragraph 
(2)(A)(i)) may be consecutive or nonconsecutive 
but shall be completed not later than 5 years 
(or 6 years, in the case of a scenario described 
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in paragraph (2)(A)(i)) after the date the stu-
dent receives the student’s baccalaureate de-
gree. 
‘‘(B) NOTIFICATION.—An eligible student 
awarded a grant under this section shall notify 
the Department, utilizing a form designed by 
the Secretary, of the student’s compliance or 
noncompliance with subparagraph (A) annually 
until such student completes the student’s work 
obligation. 
‘‘(C) 
DEFERMENT
FOR
GRADUATE 
SCHOOL.—The work obligation described in 
subparagraph (A) of an eligible student award-
ed a grant under this section who enrolls as a 
full-time student in a post-baccalaureate degree 
program not later than 3 years after the date 
the student receives the student’s baccalaureate 
degree shall be deferred during the period of 
such full-time enrollment. Any years of service 
completed prior to full-time enrollment in a 
post-baccalaureate degree program shall count 
toward such work obligation. 
‘‘(4) REPAYMENT
FOR
NONCOMPLIANCE.—In 
the event that an eligible student awarded a grant 
under this section fails or refuses to comply with the 
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work obligation as described in paragraph (3), or the 
student does not receive a baccalaureate degree after 
the second academic year for which the student re-
ceived the grant, as described in paragraph (2)(B), 
the sum of the amounts of any grants received by 
the student shall, upon a determination of such a 
failure or refusal in such service obligation or failure 
to receive a baccalaureate degree, be treated as a 
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan under 
part D of title IV, and shall be subject to repay-
ment, together with interest thereon accruing from 
the date of the grant award, in accordance with 
terms and conditions specified by the Secretary in 
regulations under this section. 
‘‘(5) MEDICAL
EXEMPTION.—The Secretary 
may grant an eligible student awarded a grant under 
this section a medical exemption— 
‘‘(A) from the requirement of maintaining 
satisfactory academic progress under paragraph 
(1)(A)(ii); or 
‘‘(B) from a term or condition of the work 
obligation of the student if the student becomes 
medically unable to complete the student’s stud-
ies or public service job work obligation. 
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‘‘SEC. 
420U. 
NATIONAL 
PUBLIC 
SERVICE 
EDUCATION 
GRANT PROGRAM FOR MINORITY-SERVING 
INSTITUTIONS AND HBCUS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The term ‘eligi-
ble institution’ means a minority-serving institution 
or historically Black college or university that is a 
public 4-year institution of higher education or a 
private, nonprofit 4-year institution of higher edu-
cation. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE STUDENT.—The term ‘eligible 
student’ means a student who— 
‘‘(A) has received an associate’s degree or 
has earned not less than 60 credits toward a 
baccalaureate degree; 
‘‘(B) is enrolled, at an eligible institution 
awarded a grant under this section, on a full- 
time basis in a course of study that will lead to 
employment in a public service job; and 
‘‘(C) has submitted a Free Application for 
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Depart-
ment. 
‘‘(3) HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE OR UNI-
VERSITY.—The term ‘historically Black college or 
university’ means a part B institution described in 
section 322(2). 
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‘‘(4) MINORITY-SERVING
INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘minority-serving institution’ means any public 
or nonprofit institution of higher education— 
‘‘(A) described in paragraphs (2) through 
(7) of section 371(a); and 
‘‘(B) designated as a minority-serving in-
stitution by the Secretary. 
‘‘(5) ON-CAMPUS ROOM AND BOARD.—The term 
‘on-campus room and board’ means— 
‘‘(A) the cost to a student of a double 
room on campus; and 
‘‘(B) the cost of a resident student meal 
plan. 
‘‘(6) PUBLIC SERVICE JOB.—The term ‘public 
service job’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 455(m)(3)(B). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary 
shall establish a National Public Service Education Grant 
program for eligible institutions to provide a debt-free un-
dergraduate education to students who commit to work 
for not less than 3 years in a public service job upon com-
pletion of their baccalaureate degree. 
‘‘(c) GRANTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO ELIGIBLE 
INSTITUTIONS.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
grants to eligible institutions to enable the eligible 
institutions to award grants to eligible students who 
commit to work for not less than 3 years in a public 
service job upon completion of their baccalaureate 
degree. 
‘‘(2) DURATION.—Grants awarded to eligible 
institutions under this subsection shall be 5 years in 
duration. Subject to subsection (e), such a grant 
may be extended for additional 5-year periods. 
‘‘(3) AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall award a 
grant to an eligible institution under this sub-
section for a fiscal year in an amount equal to 
the actual annual cost of in-State tuition, fees, 
and on-campus room and board at the eligible 
institution during the fiscal year multiplied by 
the number of eligible students enrolled at the 
institution who apply for a grant under this 
section during the fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) NONTRADITIONAL
CALENDAR.—The 
calculation of the cost of tuition, fees, and on- 
campus room and board under subparagraph 
(A) with respect to an eligible student who ap-
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plies for a grant under this section for enroll-
ment during the summer or other nontradi-
tional period shall be the cost of the cost of tui-
tion, fees, and on-campus room and board for 
such summer or other nontraditional period. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall de-
sign an application for eligible institutions to partici-
pate in the grant program under this subsection that 
includes a description of how the eligible institution, 
if awarded a grant under this subsection, will pro-
vide services to students as follows: 
‘‘(A) Provide comprehensive academic and 
student support services for eligible students 
awarded grants under this section, including 
mentoring and advising, particularly for first- 
generation and minority students. 
‘‘(B) Provide accelerated learning opportu-
nities for eligible students awarded grants 
under this section to receive their baccalaureate 
degree and any required certificate or license to 
work in their respective public service job in 
less than 2 years if an eligible student seeks to 
complete the degree in less than 2 years. 
‘‘(C) Foster opportunities for eligible stu-
dents awarded grants under this section to con-
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nect with potential public service job employers 
through the Corporation for National and Com-
munity Service. 
‘‘(D) Any additional information deter-
mined necessary by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each eligible institution 
that receives a grant under subsection (c) shall 
award grants to eligible students enrolled at the in-
stitution. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION.—An eligible student who 
desires to receive a grant under this section shall 
submit an application to the eligible institution that 
includes the following: 
‘‘(A) An agreement to work for not less 
than 3 years in a public service job upon com-
pletion of their baccalaureate degree. 
‘‘(B) Information that demonstrates that 
the student is an eligible student for purposes 
of section 484. 
‘‘(C) Information that demonstrates that 
the student has received counseling from the 
Department that explains the terms and condi-
tions of the grant award. 
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‘‘(D) Any additional information deter-
mined necessary by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) GRANT AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible institution 
shall award a grant to an eligible student en-
rolled at the institution for an academic year in 
an amount equal to the total grant amount re-
ceived by the eligible institution under sub-
section (c) for the fiscal year preceding the aca-
demic year divided by the number of students 
to whom the eligible institution awards grants 
under this subsection for such academic year. 
‘‘(B) NONTRADITIONAL
CALENDAR.—An 
eligible institution shall award a grant to an eli-
gible student who applies for a grant under this 
section for enrollment during the summer or 
other nontraditional period in an amount, from 
the total grant amount received by the eligible 
institution under subsection (c), that is pro-
rated to reflect the cost of tuition, fees, and on- 
campus room and board for such summer or 
other nontraditional period. 
‘‘(4) COST
OF
ATTENDANCE
BEYOND
GRANT 
AMOUNT.— 
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‘‘(A) AMOUNTS NOT COVERED BY NPSEG 
GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) PUBLIC INSTITUTION.—An eligi-
ble institution that is a public institution 
of higher education may cover, with re-
spect to an eligible student, any amounts 
of the cost of attendance that are in excess 
of the total amount awarded to the eligible 
student through the grant award under 
paragraph (3), based on the demonstrated 
financial need of the student. For the re-
maining costs, the eligible student enrolled 
at an eligible institution that is a public in-
stitution shall be responsible for any 
amounts of the cost of attendance that are 
in excess of the total amount awarded to 
that eligible student through the grant 
award under paragraph (3) and any 
amount provided pursuant to the preceding 
sentence. The eligible student may be eligi-
ble for Federal student aid in accordance 
with subparagraph (B) for the remaining 
cost of attendance amount for which the 
student is responsible. 
‘‘(ii) PRIVATE INSTITUTION.— 
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‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—An eligible 
institution that is a private, nonprofit 
institution of higher education shall— 
‘‘(aa) with respect to an eli-
gible student described in sub-
clause (II), cover excess costs to-
ward meeting an eligible stu-
dent’s cost of attendance in an 
amount equal to or greater than 
the amount of the grant award to 
the eligible student described in 
paragraph (3); and 
‘‘(bb) with respect to an eli-
gible student not described in 
subclause (II), not be obligated 
to 
provide 
additional 
institu-
tional-based financial aid to such 
student. 
‘‘(II) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—An 
eligible student is described in this 
subclause if the student’s (or the stu-
dent’s parents’ in the case of a de-
pendent student) adjusted gross in-
come for the taxable year that is 1 
year prior to the taxable year that 
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ends immediately prior to the begin-
ning of the first award year of the 
program under this section is equal to 
or less than $125,000, indexed for in-
flation by regulation of the Secretary. 
‘‘(III) SOURCE OF AID.—The re-
quired amount described in subclause 
(I)(aa) may be provided through a 
combination of grant and work-study 
awards under this title for which the 
eligible student may be eligible, cam-
pus-based aid programs, State-based 
merit or need-based aid, or other in-
stitutional-based merit- or need-based 
aid. 
‘‘(IV) 
STUDENT
CONTRIBU-
TION.—The eligible student shall be 
responsible for any amounts of the 
cost of attendance that are in excess 
of the total amount awarded to that 
eligible student through the grant 
award under paragraph (3) and the 
amount of excess costs provided under 
subclause (I). The eligible student 
may be eligible for Federal student 
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aid in accordance with subparagraph 
(B) for the remaining cost of attend-
ance amount for which the student is 
responsible. 
‘‘(iii) STUDENT CHOICE.—An eligible 
student who receives a Federal work-study 
award by an eligible institution to meet the 
cost of attendance beyond a grant awarded 
under this section may choose to decline 
the Federal work-study award and take 
out a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Staf-
ford Loan. An eligible institution shall be 
considered to have met the institution’s re-
sponsibilities if a student chooses to take 
out such a loan in lieu of a Federal work- 
study award. 
‘‘(B) FIRST
DOLLAR
AWARD.—In calcu-
lating an eligible student’s financial need to 
cover excess costs described in subparagraph 
(A), the eligible institution shall consider the 
grant award under this subsection as the first 
dollar award, to be available prior to other 
funds awarded by the Department of Education 
under this title, the State involved, or the insti-
tution. If a grant awarded to an eligible student 
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under this section is equal to the cost of tuition, 
fees, and on-campus room and board for such 
student, the eligible institution shall not be re-
quired to provide additional institutional schol-
arship or grant based aid to the eligible stu-
dent. 
‘‘(C) HOUSING.—An eligible student who 
receives a grant under this subsection may use 
the grant amounts for off-campus housing but 
the student may not use such grant amounts 
for any amounts for such off-campus housing 
that are in excess of the cost of on-campus 
room and board. 
‘‘(5) 
CLASSES
IN
NONTRADITIONAL
CAL-
ENDARS.—An eligible student who receives a grant 
under this subsection may use the grant amounts for 
enrollment during any period of study. 
‘‘(e) INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each eligible institution 
that receives a grant under subsection (c) shall— 
‘‘(A) provide comprehensive academic and 
student support services for eligible students 
awarded grants under this section, including 
mentoring and advising, particularly for first- 
generation and minority students; 
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‘‘(B) provide accelerated learning opportu-
nities for eligible students awarded grants 
under this section to receive their baccalaureate 
degree and any required certificate or license to 
work in their respective public service job in 
less than 2 years if an eligible student seeks to 
complete the degree in less than 2 years; and 
‘‘(C) foster opportunities for eligible stu-
dents awarded grants under this section to con-
nect with potential public service job employers 
through the Corporation for National and Com-
munity Service. 
‘‘(2) BIENNIAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each eligible institu-
tion that receives a grant under subsection (c) 
shall submit a biennial report to the Secretary 
describing the following: 
‘‘(i) Academic and student support 
services offered to eligible students award-
ed grants under this section. 
‘‘(ii) Such students’ progress towards 
baccalaureate degree completion and grad-
uation. 
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‘‘(iii) Outreach to potential public 
service job employers for the eligible stu-
dents awarded grants under this section. 
‘‘(B) CONTINUING GRANT AWARDS TO ELI-
GIBLE INSTITUTIONS.—The Secretary may con-
tinue grant awards to an eligible institution 
under subsection (c) after the initial 5-year 
grant period for additional 5-year periods if— 
‘‘(i) the institution complies with the 
requirements of paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) the eligible students awarded 
grants under this section who are enrolled 
at the institution have a baccalaureate de-
gree graduation rate that meets or exceeds 
a rate determined appropriate by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(C) DISCONTINUING GRANT AWARDS TO 
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary 
may discontinue grant awards to an eligi-
ble institution under subsection (c) after 
the initial 5-year grant period based on the 
outcome of the biennial reports under sub-
paragraph (A). 
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‘‘(ii) NOTIFICATION.—Prior to the 
Secretary discontinuing a grant award 
under clause (i), the Secretary shall notify 
the institution, prior to the start of the 5th 
year of the 5-year grant period, in a pub-
lically available format, that the institution 
is, or is potentially, out of compliance with 
the requirements of the grant award and 
may have the institution’s grant awards 
discontinued. 
‘‘(iii) MODIFICATIONS.—In the 5th 
year of the 5-year grant period, an eligible 
institution may make modifications to the 
institution’s grant program and appeal to 
the Secretary for a renewal of the institu-
tion’s grant. 
‘‘(iv) DECISION.—The Secretary, prior 
to the conclusion of the 5-year grant pe-
riod, shall render a decision on whether to 
continue grant awards to an eligible insti-
tution. 
‘‘(v) REMAINING RESPONSIBILITY.—If 
the Secretary discontinues grant awards to 
an eligible institution under subsection (c), 
the institution shall be responsible for 
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maintaining academic and student support 
services and providing the full remaining 
costs for eligible students awarded a grant 
under this section prior to such discontinu-
ation to receive their baccalaureate degree 
debt free. 
‘‘(3) INSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITIONS.—Each eli-
gible institution that receives a grant under sub-
section (c) may not— 
‘‘(A) use grant funds for administrative 
purposes; or 
‘‘(B) establish different tuition prices be-
tween eligible students who receive grants 
under this section and students who do not re-
ceive grants under this section for pursing the 
same course of study. 
‘‘(f) STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) ENROLLMENT; GPA; SERVICE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—An eligible student 
awarded a grant under this section shall— 
‘‘(i) maintain full-time enrollment in 
order to complete the student’s bacca-
laureate degree in not more than 2 years; 
and 
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‘‘(ii) maintain satisfactory academic 
progress, defined as a 3.0 grade point av-
erage (GPA) or higher, and meet all other 
institutional 
standards 
for 
academic 
progress. 
‘‘(B) TWO WEEKS OF SERVICE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as other-
wise provided in this subparagraph, an eli-
gible student awarded a grant under this 
section shall serve for 80 hours as a partic-
ipant in a Corporation for National and 
Community Service national service project 
for each year the eligible student receives 
the grant. The eligible institution shall as-
sist in placing the eligible student in such 
a project relevant to the eligible student’s 
course of study. Such required hours may 
be completed at any point during the stu-
dent’s enrollment but shall be completed 
prior to the date the eligible student re-
ceives the student’s baccalaureate degree. 
‘‘(ii) OTHER PROJECT.—If an eligible 
student resides in an area without a local 
Corporation for National and Community 
Service national service project available, 
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the student may instead participate in a 
service project with a community action 
agency, a local government agency, or an 
organization described in section 501(c)(3) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
‘‘(iii) 
MEDICAL
EXEMPTION.—The 
Secretary may grant an eligible student a 
medical exemption from the service com-
mitment under this subparagraph if the 
student becomes medically unable to com-
plete the service commitment over the 
course of the academic year. An eligible 
student granted such an exemption shall 
complete the service commitment upon re-
covery without risking eligibility status in 
the grant program under this section. 
‘‘(2) SATISFACTORY PROGRESS.— 
‘‘(A) AFTER ONE YEAR.—In the case in 
which an eligible student awarded a grant 
under this section does not maintain satisfac-
tory academic progress, as described in para-
graph (1)(A)(ii), after the first academic year 
for which the student received the grant, the 
student shall— 
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‘‘(i) serve an additional year in a pub-
lic service job beyond the 3-year commit-
ment upon receiving the student’s bacca-
laureate degree; and 
‘‘(ii) receive additional academic sup-
ports from the eligible institution in which 
the student is enrolled. 
‘‘(B) AFTER TWO YEARS.—In the case in 
which an eligible student awarded a grant 
under this section does not receive a bacca-
laureate degree after the second academic year 
for which the student received the grant, the 
total of the grant award amount and remaining 
funds provided by the institution shall be treat-
ed as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
Loan under part D of title IV, and shall be sub-
ject to repayment, as described in paragraph 
(4). 
‘‘(C) APPEALS.—In the case in which an 
eligible student awarded a grant under this sec-
tion does not maintain satisfactory academic 
progress, as described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), 
after the first academic year for which the stu-
dent received the grant, the student may appeal 
the decision to serve an additional year, as de-
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scribed in subparagraph (A)(i). The appeal 
shall be made in writing to the eligible institu-
tion and include an academic plan approved by 
the student’s adviser. The academic plan shall 
show a clear pathway to graduation within 1 
year. 
‘‘(3) PUBLIC
SERVICE
JOB
WORK
OBLIGA-
TION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2)(A)(i) and subparagraph (C), an 
eligible student awarded a grant under this sec-
tion shall work for not less than 3 years in a 
public service job after receiving the student’s 
baccalaureate degree. Such 3 years (or 4 years, 
in the case of a scenario described in paragraph 
(2)(A)(i)) may be consecutive or nonconsecutive 
but shall be completed not later than 5 years 
(or 6 years, in the case of a scenario described 
in paragraph (2)(A)(i)) after the date the stu-
dent receives the student’s baccalaureate de-
gree. 
‘‘(B) NOTIFICATION.—An eligible student 
awarded a grant under this section shall notify 
the Department, utilizing a form designed by 
the Secretary, of the student’s compliance or 
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noncompliance with subparagraph (A) annually 
until such student completes the student’s work 
obligation. 
‘‘(C) 
DEFERMENT
FOR
GRADUATE 
SCHOOL.—The work obligation described in 
subparagraph (A) of an eligible student award-
ed a grant under this section who enrolls as a 
full-time student in a post-baccalaureate degree 
program not later than 3 years after the date 
the student receives the student’s baccalaureate 
degree shall be deferred during the period of 
such full-time enrollment. Any years of service 
completed prior to full-time enrollment in a 
post-baccalaureate degree program shall count 
toward such work obligation. 
‘‘(4) REPAYMENT
FOR
NONCOMPLIANCE.—In 
the event that an eligible student awarded a grant 
under this section fails or refuses to comply with the 
work obligation as described in paragraph (3), or the 
student does not receive a baccalaureate degree after 
the second academic year for which the student re-
ceived the grant, as described in paragraph (2)(B), 
the sum of the amounts of any grants received by 
the student shall, upon a determination of such a 
failure or refusal in such service obligation or failure 
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to meet satisfactory academic progress, be treated as 
a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan under 
part D of title IV, and shall be subject to repay-
ment, together with interest thereon accruing from 
the date of the grant award, in accordance with 
terms and conditions specified by the Secretary in 
regulations under this section. 
‘‘(5) MEDICAL
EXEMPTION.—The Secretary 
may grant an eligible student awarded a grant under 
this section a medical exemption— 
‘‘(A) from the requirement of maintaining 
satisfactory academic progress under paragraph 
(1)(A)(ii); or 
‘‘(B) from a term or condition of the work 
obligation of the student if the student becomes 
medically unable to complete the student’s stud-
ies or public service job work obligation.’’. 
TITLE III—DEBT-FREE PUBLIC 
SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS 
PROGRAM 
SEC. 301. DEBT-FREE PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 455(m) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(5) DEBT-FREE PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FOR-
GIVENESS PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Beginning after the 
date of enactment of the Strengthening Amer-
ican Communities Act of 2019, after the con-
clusion of each employment period in a public 
service job, as described in subparagraph (B), 
the Secretary shall cancel the percent specified 
in such subparagraph of the total amount due 
on any eligible Federal Direct Loan made after 
the date of enactment of the Strengthening 
American Communities Act of 2019 for a bor-
rower who— 
‘‘(i) is employed in such public service 
job; 
‘‘(ii) submits an employment certifi-
cation form described in subparagraph (C); 
‘‘(iii) is enrolled in a repayment plan 
described in paragraph (1)(A); and 
‘‘(iv) notifies the Department that the 
borrower seeks loan cancellation under this 
paragraph. 
‘‘(B) PERCENT AMOUNT.—The percent of 
a loan that shall be canceled under subpara-
graph (A) is as follows: 
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‘‘(i) In the case of a borrower who 
completes 2 years of employment in a pub-
lic service job, 15 percent of the total 
amount due on the eligible Federal Direct 
Loan on the date the borrower commenced 
employment in such public service job. 
‘‘(ii) In the case of a borrower who 
completes 4 years of employment in a pub-
lic service job, 15 percent of the total 
amount due on the eligible Federal Direct 
Loan on the date the borrower commenced 
employment in such public service job. 
‘‘(iii) In the case of a borrower who 
completes 6 years of employment in a pub-
lic service job, 20 percent of the total 
amount due on the eligible Federal Direct 
Loan on the date the borrower commenced 
employment in such public service job. 
‘‘(iv) In the case of a borrower who 
completes 8 years of employment in a pub-
lic service job, 20 percent of the total 
amount due on the eligible Federal Direct 
Loan on the date the borrower commenced 
employment in such public service job. 
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‘‘(v) In the case of a borrower who 
completes 10 years of employment in a 
public service job, 30 percent of the total 
amount due on the eligible Federal Direct 
Loan on the date the borrower commenced 
employment in such public service job. 
‘‘(C) 
EMPLOYMENT
CERTIFICATION 
FORM.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In order to receive 
loan cancellation under this paragraph, a 
borrower shall submit to the Secretary an 
employment certification form that is de-
veloped by the Secretary and includes at 
least self-certification of employment, a 
separate part for employer certification 
that indicates the dates of employment, 
and any additional information required by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) DEFERMENT.—If a borrower 
submits to the Secretary the employment 
certification form described in clause (i), 
during the period in which the borrower is 
employed in a public service job for which 
loan cancellation is eligible under this 
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paragraph, the borrower’s eligible Federal 
Direct Loan shall be placed in deferment. 
‘‘(D) INTEREST CANCELED.—If a portion 
of a loan is canceled under this paragraph for 
any year, the entire amount of interest on such 
loan that accrues for such year shall be can-
celed. 
‘‘(E) NO
RETROACTIVITY.—A borrower 
may not receive credit for purposes of loan for-
giveness under this paragraph for years of em-
ployment in a public service job that occurred 
before the date of enactment of the Strength-
ening American Communities Act of 2019. 
‘‘(F) LEAVING PUBLIC SERVICE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If a borrower who 
receives loan cancellation under this para-
graph leaves the public service job, either 
voluntarily or involuntarily, for which the 
borrower received loan cancellation before 
the total amount due on the eligible Fed-
eral Direct Loan is canceled under this 
paragraph, such borrower shall retain eligi-
bility for accelerated loan cancellation 
under this paragraph for such eligible Fed-
eral Direct Loan if the borrower com-
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mences employment in a public service job 
not later than 3 years after the date the 
borrower left the public service job for 
which the borrower received loan cancella-
tion. 
‘‘(ii) ELIGIBILITY STATUS.—If a bor-
rower described in clause (i) commences 
employment in a public service job within 
the time period described in clause (i), 
such borrower shall resume eligibility for 
accelerated loan cancellation under this 
paragraph for such eligible Federal Direct 
Loan. Such borrower upon resumption of 
eligibility shall be considered to have com-
pleted the number of years of employment 
in a public service job at the last completed 
loan cancellation period described in sub-
paragraph (B) for such borrower, even if 
the borrower had actually completed an ad-
ditional year of employment in a public 
service job. 
‘‘(iii) LOSS
OF
ELIGIBILITY.—If a 
borrower described in clause (i) does not 
commence employment in a public service 
job within the time period described in 
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kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
clause (i), such borrower shall no longer be 
eligible for loan cancellation under this 
paragraph but may be eligible for loan can-
cellation for such loan under paragraph 
(1).’’. 
(b) NOTIFICATION OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary of 
Education, in order to inform public servants of the bene-
fits of the debt-free public service loan cancellation pro-
gram established under section 455(m)(5) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m))— 
(1) shall make guidance publicly available to 
the employers of public servants to make public serv-
ants aware of such program; and 
(2) is encouraged to work in partnership with 
State licensing agencies to make recently licensed 
public servants aware of such program. 
Æ 
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