ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANTS.

SEC. 402. ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANTS.(a) Amendments.—(1) In general.—Section 401A (as amended by Public Law 110–227) (20 U.S.C. 1070a–1) is amended—(A) in subsection (c)(3)—(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:“(i)(I) successfully completes, after January 1, 2006, but before July 1, 2009, a rigorous secondary school program of study established by a State or local educational agency and recognized as such by the Secretary; or“(II) successfully completes, on or after July 1, 2009, a rigorous secondary school program of study that prepares students for college—“(aa)(AA) that is recognized as such by the official designated for such recognition consistent with State law; and“(BB) about which the designated official has reported to the Secretary, at such time as the Secretary may reasonably require, in order to assist financial aid administrators to determine that the student is an eligible student under this section; or“(bb) that is recognized as such by the Secretary in regulations promulgated to carry out this section, as such regulations were in effect on May 6, 2008; and”; and(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:“(i)(I) successfully completes, after January 1, 2005, but before July 1, 2009, a rigorous secondary school program of study established by a State or local educational agency and recognized as such by the Secretary; or“(II) successfully completes, on or after July 1, 2009, a rigorous secondary school program of study that prepares students for college—122 STAT. 3191“(aa)(AA) that is recognized as such by the official designated for such recognition consistent with State law; and“(BB) about which the designated official has reported to the Secretary, at such time as the Secretary may reasonably require, in order to assist financial aid administrators to determine that the student is an eligible student under this section; or“(bb) that is recognized as such by the Secretary in regulations promulgated to carry out this section, as such regulations were in effect on May 6, 2008; and”; and(B) by amending subsection (e)(2) to read as follows:“(2) Availability of funds.—The amounts made available by paragraph (1) for any fiscal year shall be available from October 1 of that fiscal year and remain available through September 30 of the succeeding fiscal year.”.(2) Effective date.—The amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) shall take effect on October 1, 2008.(3) Effective date amendment.—Section 10(b) of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 is amended by striking “January 1” and inserting “July 1”.(b) Waiver of Master Calendar and Negotiated Rulemaking Requirements.—Sections 482 and 492 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1089, 1098a) shall not apply to the amendments made by subsection (a), or to any regulations promulgated under those amendments.(c) Related Amendment to the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008.—(1) Amendment.—Section 11 of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 is amended by striking “sections 2 through 9 of”.(2) Effective date.—The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008.