---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 1103b"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "1103b"
heading: "Application review process"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/1103b"
units:
  - "Chapter 28 — Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance"
  - "Subchapter V — Developing Institutions"
  - "Part C — General Provisions"
---

# §1103b. Application review process

- (a) **Review panel—** All applications submitted under this subchapter by [Hispanic-serving institutions](/usc/20/1101a.md?p=a-5) shall be read by a panel of readers composed of individuals who are selected by the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) and who include individuals representing [Hispanic-serving institutions](/usc/20/1101a.md?p=a-5). The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall ensure that no individual assigned under this section to review any application has any conflict of [interest](/usc/20/1066a.md?p=6) with regard to the application that might impair the impartiality with which the individual conducts the review under this section.
- (b) **Instruction—** All readers selected by the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall receive thorough instruction from the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) regarding the evaluation process for applications submitted under this subchapter that are consistent with the provisions of this subchapter, including—
  - (1) an enumeration of the factors to be used to determine the quality of applications submitted under this subchapter; and
  - (2) an enumeration of the factors to be used to determine whether a grant should be awarded for a project under this subchapter, the amount of any such grant, and the duration of any such grant.
- (c) **Recommendations of panel—** In awarding grants under this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall take into consideration the recommendations of the panel made under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (d) **Notification—** Not later than June 30 of each year, the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall notify each [Hispanic-serving institution](/usc/20/1101a.md?p=a-5) making an application under this subchapter of—
  - (1) the scores given the institution by the panel pursuant to this section;
  - (2) the recommendations of the panel with respect to such application; and
  - (3) the reasons for the decision of the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) in awarding or refusing to award a grant under this subchapter, and any modifications, if any, in the recommendations of the panel made by the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–329, title V, § 523, formerly § 513, as added Pub. L. 105–244, title V, § 501, Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1772; renumbered § 523, Pub. L. 110–315, title V, § 502(a)(2), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3331.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1103b, Pub. L. 89–329, title V, § 513, as added Pub. L. 102–325, title V, § 501(a), July 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 674, related to use of funds, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–244.

Another prior section 1103b, Pub. L. 89–329, title V, § 513, as added Pub. L. 99–498, title V, § 501(a), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1497, related to review of applications for grants, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 102–325.

A prior section 523 of Pub. L. 89–329 was classified to section 1104b of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 105–244.

Another prior section 523 of Pub. L. 89–329 was classified to section 1105b of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 102–325.

Another prior section 523 of Pub. L. 89–329 was classified to section 1113 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94–482.