Grants to rural-serving institutions of higher education

The purposes of this section are— For the purposes of this section: The term “rural-serving institution of higher education” means an institution of higher education that primarily serves rural areas. The term “rural area” means an area that is defined, identified, or otherwise recognized as rural by a governmental agency of the State in which the area is located. The term “nontraditional student” means an individual who— attends an institution of higher education and— The term “regional employer” means an employer within a rural area. A rural-serving institution of higher education, or a consortium of rural-serving institutions of higher education, that receives a grant under this section shall carry out the activities of the grant in partnership with— A rural-serving institution of higher education, or a consortium of rural-serving institutions of higher education, that receives a grant under this section, may carry out the activities of the grant in partnership with— From amounts made available under subsection (g), the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible rural-serving institutions of higher education or a consortium of such institutions, to carry out the activities described in subsection (f). A grant awarded under this section shall be awarded for a period not to exceed three years. No grant awarded under this section shall be less than $200,000. In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications that demonstrate the most potential and propose the most promising and innovative approaches for— A rural-serving institution of higher education shall not receive more than one grant under this section. Each rural-serving institution of higher education desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. A rural-serving institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section shall use grant funds for at least three of the following four purposes: To improve postsecondary enrollment rates for rural secondary school students at rural-serving institutions of higher education, which may include— To increase enrollment rates of nontraditional students in degree programs at rural-serving institutions of higher education, which may include— There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as many be necessary for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.