--- kind: "section" citation: "20 U.S.C. § 1161b" title: "20" title_heading: "Education" number: "1161b" heading: "Mathematics and science scholars program" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/1161b" units: - "Chapter 28 — Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance" - "Subchapter IX — Additional Programs" - "Part B — Mathematics and Science Scholars Program" --- # §1161b. Mathematics and science scholars program - (a) **Program authorized—** From the amounts appropriated under [subsection (f)](#f), the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) is authorized to award grants to [States](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A), on a competitive basis, to enable the [States](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) to encourage students to pursue a rigorous course of study, beginning in [secondary school](/usc/20/1003.md?p=16) and continuing through the students’ postsecondary education, in [science](/usc/20/1067k.md?p=4), technology, engineering, mathematics, or a health-related field. - (b) **Applications—** - (1) **In general—** A [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) may require. A [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) may submit an application to receive a grant under subsection [(c)](#c) or [(d)](#d), or both. - (2) **Contents of application—** Each application shall include a description of— - (A) the program or programs for which the [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) is applying; - (B) if applicable, the priority set by the Governor pursuant to subsection [(c)(4)](#c-4) or [(d)(3)](#d-3); and - (C) how the [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) will meet the requirements of [subsection (e)](#e). - (c) **Mathematics and science scholars program—** - (1) **Grant for scholarships—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall award grants under this subsection to provide scholarship support to eligible students. - (2) **Eligible students—** A student is eligible for a scholarship under this subsection if the student— - (A) meets the requirements of [section 1091(a) of this title](/usc/20/1091.md?p=a); - (B) is a full-time student in the student’s first year of undergraduate study; and - (C) has completed a rigorous [secondary school](/usc/20/1003.md?p=16) curriculum in mathematics and [science](/usc/20/1067k.md?p=4). - (3) **Rigorous curriculum—** Each participating [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) shall determine the requirements for a rigorous [secondary school](/usc/20/1003.md?p=16) curriculum in mathematics and [science](/usc/20/1067k.md?p=4) described in [paragraph (2)(C)](#c-2-C). - (4) **Priority for scholarships—** The Governor of a [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) may set a priority for awarding scholarships under this subsection for particular eligible students, such as students attending schools in high-need [local educational agencies](/usc/20/1003.md?p=11) (as defined in [section 1021 of this title](/usc/20/1021.md)), students who are from groups underrepresented in the fields of mathematics, [science](/usc/20/1067k.md?p=4), and engineering, students served by [local educational agencies](/usc/20/1003.md?p=11) that do not meet or exceed [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) standards in mathematics and [science](/usc/20/1067k.md?p=4), or other high-need students. - (5) **Amount and duration of scholarship—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall award a grant under this subsection to provide scholarships— - (A) in an amount that does not exceed $5,000 per student; and - (B) for not more than one year of undergraduate study. - (d) **STEM or health-related scholars program—** - (1) **Grant for scholarships—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall award grants under this subsection to provide scholarship support to eligible students. - (2) **Eligible students—** A student is eligible for scholarship under this subsection if the student— - (A) meets the requirements of [section 1091(a) of this title](/usc/20/1091.md?p=a); - (B) is a full-time student who has completed at least the first year of undergraduate study; - (C) is enrolled in a program of undergraduate instruction leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major in [science](/usc/20/1067k.md?p=4), technology, engineering, mathematics, or a health-related field; and - (D) has obtained a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 (or the equivalent as determined under regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17)) at the end of the most recently completed term. - (3) **Priority for scholarships—** The Governor of a [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) may set a priority for awarding scholarships under this subsection for students agreeing to work in areas of [science](/usc/20/1067k.md?p=4), technology, engineering, mathematics, or health-related fields. - (4) **Amount and duration of scholarship—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall award a grant under this subsection to provide scholarships— - (A) in an amount that does not exceed $5,000 per student for an [academic year](/usc/20/1088.md?p=a-2-A); and - (B) in an aggregate amount that does not exceed $20,000 per student. - (e) **Matching requirement—** In order to receive a grant under this section, a [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) shall provide matching funds for the scholarships awarded under this section in an amount equal to 50 percent of the Federal funds received. - (f) **Authorization—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years. - (g) **Definition—** The term “Governor” means the chief executive [officer](/usc/20/1019.md?p=7) of a [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A). ## Source credit (Pub. L. 89–329, title VIII, § 802, as added Pub. L. 110–315, title VIII, § 801, Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3381; amended Pub. L. 111–39, title VIII, § 801(1), July 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 1955.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Amendments 2009—Subsec. (d)(2)(D). Pub. L. 111–39 substituted “regulations” for “regulation”. ### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries ### Effective Date of 2009 Amendment Amendment by Pub. L. 111–39 effective as if enacted on the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–315 (Aug. 14, 2008), see section 3 of Pub. L. 111–39, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.