GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED.

SEC. 703. GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED.(a) Institutional Eligibility.—Section 712 (20 U.S.C. 1135a) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:“(b) Designation of Areas of National Need.—After consultation with appropriate Federal and nonprofit agencies and organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Secretary shall designate areas of national need. In making such designations, the Secretary shall take into consideration—“(1) the extent to which the interest in the area is compelling;“(2) the extent to which other Federal programs support postbaccalaureate study in the area concerned;“(3) an assessment of how the program may achieve the most significant impact with available resources; and“(4) an assessment of current (as of the time of the designation) and future professional workforce needs of the United States.”.(b) Awards to Graduate Students.—Section 714(b) (20 U.S.C. 1135c(b)) is amended—(1) by striking “1999–2000” and inserting “2009–2010”; and(2) by striking “Foundation graduate fellowships” and inserting “Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program for such academic year”.(c) Additional Assistance.—Section 715(a)(1) (20 U.S.C. 1135d(a)(1)) is amended—122 STAT. 3347(1) by striking “1999–2000” and inserting “2009–2010”; and(2) by striking “1998–1999” and inserting “2008–2009”.(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—Section 716 (20 U.S.C. 1135e) is amended by striking “fiscal year 1999” and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting “fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years to carry out this subpart.”.(e) Technical Amendments.—Subpart 2 of part A of title VII (as amended by this section) (20 U.S.C. 113 et seq.) is further amended—(1) in section 711(a)(1) (20 U.S.C. 1135(a)(1)), by inserting “, including a master’s or doctoral degree,” after “leading to a graduate degree”;(2) in section 712(a) (20 U.S.C. 1135a(a)), by inserting “, including a master’s or doctoral degree,” after “leading to a graduate degree”;(3) in section 713(b)(5)(C) (20 U.S.C. 1135b(b)(5)(C)), by inserting “at the institution” before the semicolon; and(4) in section 714(c) (20 U.S.C. 1135c(c))—(A) by striking “716(a)” and inserting “715(a)”; and(B) by striking “714(b)(2)” and inserting “713(b)(2)”.