ELIGIBILITY OF SCHOLARS.

SEC. 604. ELIGIBILITY OF SCHOLARS. (a) Requirements for Initial Award.— To be eligible to receive a scholarship under section 602(b)(1), a student shall— (1) be scheduled to graduate from a public or private secondary school, or to obtain the equivalent of a certificate of graduation (as recognized by the State in which the student resides), during the school year in which the award is made; (2) be a citizen or national of the United States or the entities set forth in section 603(b)(5), or be an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; (3) have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in secondary school in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or engineering; (4) have been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education as a full-time undergraduate student (as determined by the institution); and (5) have declared a major in 1 of the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or engineering, or provided a written statement to the State of his or her intent to major in 1 of these fields of study, if it is the policy of the institution at which the student has been accepted for enrollment that students not declare a major until a later point in their course of study. (b) Requirements for Continuation Awards.— A student who has received a scholarship under section 602(b)(1) may receive a scholarship for a subsequent academic year of undergraduate education under section 602(b)(2) if the student— (1) maintains a high level of academic achievement, as determined in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary; (2) continues to major in, or provides a statement to the State as described in subsection (a)(5) of his or her continuing intent104 STAT. 2903 to major in, one of the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or engineering; and (3) continues to be enrolled at an institution of higher education as a full-time undergraduate student (as determined by the institution). (c) Waiver of Full-Time Attendance Requirement.— The Secretary may waive the full-time attendance requirements in this section in unusual circumstances. (d) Failure To Meet Eligibility Requirements.— In the event that the student fails to meet the requirements of this section, the student’s eligibility to receive further scholarships (or scholarship proceeds) under this part shall be suspended in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary. (e) Reinstatement of Eligibility.— The Secretary shall determine circumstances under which eligibility of a scholarship recipient under this part may be reinstated if the recipient seeks to re-enter school after an interruption of schooling for personal reasons, including, but not limited to, pregnancy, child-rearing, and other family responsibilities. (f) Notification of Secondary Schools.— The Secretary shall notify all public and private secondary schools and all institutions of higher education in each State annually of the availability of scholarships under this part.