HIGHER EDUCATION INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE.

SEC. 118. HIGHER EDUCATION INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE. (a) Purpose.—It is the purpose of this part to support innovative projects to encourage students to participate in community service activities while such students are attending institutions of higher education. (b) General Authority.—The Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, is authorized to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, institutions of higher education (including a combination of such institutions) and other public agencies and nonprofit organizations working in partnership with institutions of higher education— (1) to enable the institution to create or expand community service activities for students attending that institution; (2) to encourage student-initiated and student-designed community service projects; (3) to facilitate the integration of community service into academic curricula, so that students can obtain credit for their community service activities; (4) to encourage students to participate in community service activities that will engender a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community; (5) to encourage students to assist in the teaching of individuals with limited basic skills or an inability to read and write; and (6) to provide for the training of teachers, prospective teachers, related education personnel, and community leaders in the skills necessary to develop, supervise, and organize community service activities, taking into consideration the particular needs of a community and the ability of the grantee to actively involve a major part of the community in, and substantially benefit the community by, the proposed community service activities. (c) Federal Share.— (1) In general.—The Federal share of each grant awarded under this section shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the community service activities carried out with each such grant. (2) Non-federal sources.—That portion of the costs of programs that receive assistance under this subtitle that are to be paid from sources other than Federal funds may be paid in cash or in kind (fairly evaluated). (d) Application for Grant.—To receive a grant under this subtitle, an applicant shall prepare and submit to the Commission, an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commission may reasonably require, including— (1) a description of the proposed program to be established with assistance provided under the grant; (2) a description of the human, educational, environmental or public safety service that participants will perform and the community need that will be addressed under such program; (3) a description of whether or not students will receive academic credit for community service activities under the program; 104 STAT. 3140 (4) a description of the procedure for training supervisors and participants and for supervising and organizing participants in such proposed program; (5) a description of the procedures to ensure that the proposed program provides participants with an opportunity to reflect on their service experiences; (6) a description of the budget for the program; and (7) assurances that, prior to the placement of a participant in the program, the applicant will consult with any local labor organization representing employees in the area who are engaged in the same or similar work as that proposed to be carried out by such project.