Pre-service tuition grant program

(a) Pre-Service tuition grants authorized The Secretary of each military department may provide a grant, for a period of not more than 3 years, to pay all or a portion of the charges of an educational institution for the tuition of an individual who is enrolled in such educational institution for a technical degree, certificate, or certification program to meet a critical need in such military department, and who makes a commitment to service in an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of such Secretary. Each Secretary shall create a list of degrees, certificates, and certifications that qualify for grants under this section and shall update that list at least once every 5 years. (b) Requirements for receipt of grant The Secretary of a military department may not provide grant funds under subsection (a) to an individual unless the individual signs an enlistment contract for military service upon completion of the educational program for which the funds were provided, for such period as is determined by the Secretary. Upon signing such enlistment contract, the individual shall be placed in the Delayed Entry Program of the Armed Force concerned. If, at the time the individual is expected to begin military training, the individual no longer qualifies for service or is otherwise unable or unwilling to serve, the individual shall, subject to subsection (c), repay the funds received, or serve a period equal to the military service commitment in a federally sponsored national service program. (c) Waiver The Secretary of a military department may reduce or waive the service obligation of an individual under this section in exigent circumstances, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Relation to other personnel authorities A grant under subsection (a) may be provided— (1) without regard to the lack of authority for the grant under title 10 or 37, United States Code; and (2) notwithstanding any provision of such titles, or any regulation prescribed under such provision, relating to methods of providing incentives to individuals to accept appointments or enlistments in the Armed Forces, including the provision of group individual bonuses, pay, or other incentives. (e) Notice and wait requirement The Secretary of a military department may not provide a grant under subsection (a) until— (1) the Secretary submits to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a plan regarding the provision of grants under that subsection, which includes— (A) a description of the grant program, including its purpose and the potential recruits to be addressed by the program; (B) a description of the provisions of titles 10 and 37, United States Code, that require reporting of incentives to individuals to accept appointment or enlistments in the Armed Forces, including the provision of group individual bonuses, pay, or other incentives; (C) a statement of the anticipated outcomes as a result of providing grants under the grant program; and (D) a description of the methods and metrics to be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program; and (2) a period of 30 days beginning on the date on which the plan is submitted to the committees has expired. (f) Limitation on number of incentives The Secretary of a military department may not provide to an individual more than 2 incentives described in subsection (d)(2) to encourage the individual to enlist in an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, in addition to a grant under subsection (a). (g) Limitation on number of individuals receiving tuition grants The number of individuals who receive a grant under subsection (a) from the Secretary of a military department during a fiscal year for an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary may not exceed 20 percent of the number of enlistments for that fiscal year that is the objective of that Armed Force. (h) Reports to Congress If the Secretary of a military department provides a grant under subsection (a) during a fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report, not later than 60 days after the end of that fiscal year, containing— (1) a description of each grant provided under subsection (a) during that fiscal year; and (2) an assessment of the impact of all such the grants on the recruitment of individuals for the Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. (i) Federally sponsored national service programs A federally sponsored national service program referred to in subsection (b) includes the programs authorized in— (1) sections 5 and 6 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504 and 2505); (2) section 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (relating to the YouthBuild Program; 29 U.S.C. 3226); (3) part A of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (relating to the Volunteers in Service to America; 42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.); and (4) subtitles C (relating to the National Service Trust Program; 42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) and E (relating to the National Civilian Community Corps; 42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. (j) Regulations The Secretary of each military department shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section. (k) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.