DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION School Improvement Programs For an additional amount for “School Improvement Programs” for education for homeless children and youths (as defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)), $15,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2009: Provided, That such funds shall be made available, based on demonstrated need, only to local educational agencies whose enrollment of homeless students has increased as a result of hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters occurring during 2008 for which the President declared a major disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974: Provided further, That such funds shall be used for the activities described in section 723(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 11433(d)) and services provided using such funds shall comply with paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 723(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 11433(a)): Provided further, That the local educational agency requirements described in paragraphs (3) through (7) of section 722(g) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)) shall apply: Provided further, That the Secretary of Education shall distribute these funds to such local educational agencies not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Higher Education Disaster Relief For an additional amount under part B of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (“HEA”) for institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 or section 102(c) of that Act) that are located in an area affected by hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters occurring during 2008 for which the President declared a major disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, $15,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2009: Provided, That such funds shall be available to the Secretary of Education only for payments to help defray the expenses (which may include lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, and construction) incurred by such institutions of higher education that were forced to close, relocate, or whose operations were impaired as a result of damage directly caused by such hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters occurring during 2008, and for payments to enable such institutions to provide grants to students who attend such institutions for academic years beginning on or after July 1, 2008: Provided further, That such payments shall be made in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary 122 STAT. 3596 and made publicly available without regard to section 437 of the General Education Provisions Act, section 553 of title 5, United States Code, or part B of title VII of the HEA: Provided further, That the Secretary shall award funds available under this paragraph not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.