Grant program authorized; application requirements

(a) Grant program authorized From the amounts available under section 5, the Secretary of Education shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to carry out skills-for-success courses for all first-year students enrolled at such institutions. (b) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible institutions in which at least 50 percent of all students enrolled during the most recent academic year were eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) for the award year applicable to such academic year. (c) Grant period; Minimum grant amount (1) Grant period A grant awarded to an eligible institution under this Act shall be for a 5-year grant period. (2) Grant amount A grant awarded to an eligible institution under this Act shall be awarded in such an amount as determined necessary by the Secretary for the institution to carry out the activities described in section 3. (d) Application requirements To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an eligible institution shall submit an application at such time, and in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, which shall include a (1) description of— (A) the skills-for-success course that the institution will develop and implement with the grant; and (B) the activities the institution will carry out under each phase described in section 3(b); and (2) a request for a specific grant amount, and a justification for such amount. (e) Technical assistance The Secretary shall, upon request, provide technical assistance to eligible institutions in applying for a grant under this Act. In providing such technical assistance, the Secretary shall prioritize eligible institutions described in subsection (b).