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Managing America: Education

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending September 21, 2007

H.R.1657 To establish a Science and Technology Scholarship Program to award scholarships to recruit and prepare students for careers in the National Weather Service and in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine research, atmospheric research, and satellite programs.

The Administrator of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is authorized to establish a Science and Technology Scholarship Program to award scholarships to students with the purpose of preparing them for careers in the National Weather Service, marine research, atmospheric research and satellite programs within NOAA.

Recipients will have completed for the scholarships on the basis of academic merit with consideration given to financial need and minority status. Students must be enrolled full time leading to a degree in an academic study program of field of study that the Administrator will soon make public. Students must also be US citizens and not be a Federal employee at the time of the initial award.

The amount of the awards will be determined at a later date but may not exceed the cost of attendance, may be used only for tuition, fees and other authorized expenses. Awards may also be paid directly to the schools.

The awards will be for one year at a time and can receive an award more than four times. Recipients will enter a contract with NOAA agreeing to serve as full time employees for two years for each academic year for which the scholarship is provided. Service must begin within 60 days after graduation but the Administrator can defer the start time.

Should a recipient fail to maintain a high level of academic standing, is dismissed foe disciplinary reasons or voluntarily quits before graduation, the award must be repaid within one year. Should a recipient, for any reason, fail to begin or complete the service obligation the recipient is liable for the full amount of the award plus interest equal to what it would have been if the award were a loan. Death, impossibility, extreme hardship or if collecting the debt would be contrary to the best interest of the Federal government could waive the repayment obligation.

Sponsor:  Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA-46)

Vote: Passed House 360 to 16 September 17, 2007 RC 868

Cost to the taxpayers: Cost data not yet available.

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this bill.

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