---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 1059f"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "1059f"
heading: "Native American-serving, nontribal institutions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/1059f"
units:
  - "Chapter 28 — Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance"
  - "Subchapter III — Institutional Aid"
  - "Part A — Strengthening Institutions"
---

# §1059f. Native American-serving, nontribal institutions

- (a) **Program authorized—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall provide grants and related assistance to Native American-serving, nontribal institutions to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and [low-income individuals](/usc/20/1058.md?p=g).
- (b) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Native American—** The term “Native American” means an individual who is of a tribe, people, or culture that is indigenous to the United States.
  - (2) **Native American-serving, nontribal institution—** The term “Native American-serving, nontribal institution” means an [institution of higher education](/usc/20/1001.md?p=a), as defined in [section 1001(a) of this title](/usc/20/1001.md?p=a), that, at the time of application—
    - (A) is an [eligible institution](/usc/20/1058.md?p=b) under [section 1058(b) of this title](/usc/20/1058.md?p=b);
    - (B) has an enrollment of undergraduate students that is not less than 10 percent Native American students; and
    - (C) is not a Tribal College or University (as defined in [section 1059c of this title](/usc/20/1059c.md)).
- (c) **Authorized activities—**
  - (1) **Types of activities authorized—** Grants awarded under this section shall be used by Native American-serving, nontribal institutions to assist such institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and expand such institutions’ capacity to serve Native Americans and [low-income individuals](/usc/20/1058.md?p=g).
  - (2) **Examples of authorized activities—** Such programs may include—
    - (A) the purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes;
    - (B) renovation and improvement in classroom, library, laboratory, and other instructional facilities;
    - (C) support of faculty exchanges, and faculty development and faculty fellowships to assist faculty in attaining advanced degrees in the faculty’s field of instruction;
    - (D) curriculum development and academic instruction;
    - (E) the purchase of library books, periodicals, microfilm, and other educational materials;
    - (F) funds and administrative management, and acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening funds management;
    - (G) the joint use of facilities such as laboratories and libraries;
    - (H) academic tutoring and counseling programs and student support services; and
    - (I) education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students or the students’ families.
- (d) **Application process—**
  - (1) **Institutional eligibility—** A Native American-serving, nontribal institution desiring to receive assistance under this section shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) such enrollment data as may be necessary to demonstrate that the institution is a Native American-serving, nontribal institution, along with such other information and data as the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) may reasonably require.
  - (2) **Applications—**
    - (A) **Authority to submit applications—** Any institution that is determined by the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) to be a Native American-serving, nontribal institution may submit an application for assistance under this section to the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17).
    - (B) **Simplified and streamlined format—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall, to the extent possible, continue to prescribe a simplified and streamlined format for applications under this section that takes into account the limited number of institutions that are eligible for assistance under this section.
    - (C) **Content—** An application submitted under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A) shall include—
      - (i) a five-year plan for improving the assistance provided by the Native American-serving, nontribal institution to Native Americans and [low-income individuals](/usc/20/1058.md?p=g); and
      - (ii) such other information and assurances as the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) may reasonably require.
  - (3) **Special rules—**
    - (A) **Eligibility—** No Native American-serving, nontribal institution that receives funds under this section shall concurrently receive funds under any other provision of this part, part B, or part A of subchapter V.
    - (B) **Exemption—** [Section 1059(d) of this title](/usc/20/1059.md?p=d) shall not apply to institutions that are eligible to receive funds under this section.
    - (C) **Distribution—** In awarding grants under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall, to the extent possible and consistent with the competitive process under which such grants are awarded, ensure maximum and equitable distribution among all [eligible institutions](/usc/20/1058.md?p=b).
    - (D) **Minimum grant amount—** The minimum amount of a grant under this section shall be $200,000.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–329, title III, § 319, as added Pub. L. 110–315, title III, § 306, Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3173.)