Scholarship for volunteer service programs

(a) Funding (1) State programs (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a program under which the Secretary makes allocations to States, in accordance with subparagraph (B), to carry out the scholarship program under subsection (b). (B) Allocations to States From the amount appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year and not reserved under paragraph (2), each State that has an application approved by the Secretary under subparagraph (C) shall be allocated an amount in proportion to number of students enrolled in the public elementary schools and secondary schools in the State for the previous school year relative to the total number of students enrolled in the public elementary schools and secondary schools for such school year in every State that has an application approved by the Secretary under such subparagraph. (C) State application To be eligible to receive an allocation under subparagraph (B), a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Federal program From the amount appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve not more than 20 percent to carry out the Federal supplemental scholarship program under subsection (c). (b) State administered scholarship program (1) In general Each State that receives an allocation under subsection (a)(2) shall use such allocation to carry out a program under which the State awards scholarships, on a competitive basis, to eligible students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteer service work. (2) Application A student who seeks a scholarship under this subsection shall submit an application to the State at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the State may require. (3) Student eligibility To be eligible to receive a scholarship under this subsection a student shall meet the following criteria: (A) First-time applicant In the case of a first-time applicant for a scholarship under this subsection, the student shall— (i) be enrolled— (I) in a secondary school and be in the final year of a program of study leading to a regular high school diploma; or (II) in an institution of higher education; and (ii) have completed at least 100 hours of volunteer service work in the preceding school year (or another one-year period determined by the Secretary). (B) Renewal applicant In the case of a student who received a scholarship under this subsection for an academic year and is seeking a scholarship for a subsequent academic year, the student shall— (i) be enrolled in an institution of higher education; (ii) be in good academic standing (as determined by the institution); and (iii) have completed at least 100 hours of volunteer service work in the preceding school year (or another one-year period determined by the Secretary). (4) Renewal process Subject to the availability of funds for such purpose, a State that receives an allocation under subsection (a) shall— (A) award a scholarship to each renewal applicant who meets the requirements described in paragraph (3)(B); and (B) establish a streamlined process under which renewal applicants can apply for such scholarships with minimal documentation required. (5) Priority In awarding scholarships under this subsection, a State shall— (A) in accordance with paragraph (4), first award scholarships to renewal applicants described in paragraph (3)(B); and (B) from any funds remaining after awarding such scholarships, award scholarships to first-time applicants described in paragraph (3)(A). (6) Use of funds A scholarship received by a student under this subsection may be used by such student only to pay the student’s costs of attendance at an institution of higher education. (7) Duration Each scholarship under this subsection shall be awarded for a period of one academic year. A student may receive a scholarship under this subsection for a total period of not more than 4 academic years. (8) Amount The amount of each scholarship under this subsection shall be— (A) $1,000, for a student who completed at least 100 hours, but less than 138 hours, of volunteer service work in the preceding school year (or another one-year period determined by the Secretary); (B) $1,500, for a student who completed at least 138 hours, but less than 175 hours, of volunteer service work in the preceding school year (or another one-year period determined by the Secretary); (C) $2,000, for a student who completed at least 175 hours, but less than 213 hours, of volunteer service work in such period; (D) $2,500, for a student who completed at least 213 hours, but less than 250 hours, of volunteer service work in such period; and (E) $3,000, for a student who completed at least 250 hours of volunteer service work in such period. (c) Federal supplemental scholarship program (1) In general From amounts reserved under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may carry out a program under which the Secretary awards supplementary funds, on a competitive basis, directly to eligible students for volunteer service work. (2) Amount The amount of supplementary funds awarded to each student under paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Secretary. (3) Priority In awarding scholarships under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize the award of funds to students who have not received a scholarship under subsection (b). (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.