text: SECTION 1. PURPOSE; APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZED.
  
      (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act--
              (1) to establish a National Science Scholars Program to 
          recognize student excellence and achievement in the physical, 
          life, and computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
              (2) to provide financial assistance to students under 
          paragraph (1) to continue their postsecondary education in such 
          fields of study at sustained high levels of performance;
              (3) to contribute to strengthening the leadership of the 
          United States in such fields;
              (4) to strengthen the United States mathematics, science, 
          and engineering base by offering opportunities to pursue 
          postsecondary education in life, physical, and computer 
          sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
              (5) to encourage role models in scientific, mathematics, 
          and engineering fields for young people;
              (6) to strengthen the United States mathematics, 
          scientific, and engineering potential by encouraging equal 
          participation of women with men in mathematics, scientific, and 
          engineering fields; and
              (7) to attract talented students to teaching careers in 
          mathematics and science in elementary and secondary schools.
      (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated $4,500,000 for fiscal year 1997 and such sums as may be 
  necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years for awards to 
  National Science Scholars.
  
  SEC. 2. SCHOLARSHIPS AUTHORIZED.
  
      (a) Program Authority.--The Secretary is authorized, in accordance 
  with the provisions of this Act, to carry out a program of awarding 
  scholarships to students for the study of the physical, life, or 
  computer sciences, mathematics, or engineering, who--
              (1) are selected by the President;
              (2) have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in 
          the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or 
          engineering; and
              (3) show promise of continued outstanding academic 
          performance in such field of study.
      (b) Period of Awards.--
              (1) Period of initial award.--A student who satisfies the 
          requirements of section 4(a) may receive a scholarship, for a 
          period of 1 academic year, for the first year of undergraduate 
          study at an institution of higher education.
              (2) Continuation awards.--A student who satisfies the 
          requirements of section 4(b) may receive additional 
          scholarships, each awarded for a period of 1 academic year, in 
          order to complete his or her undergraduate course of study. A 
          student may receive additional scholarships for not more than 3 
          academic years of undergraduate study, except that, in the case 
          of a student who is enrolled in an undergraduate course of 
          study that requires attendance for 5 academic years, the 
          student may receive additional scholarships for not more than 4 
          academic years of undergraduate study.
      (c) Use at Any Institution Permitted.--A student awarded a 
  scholarship under this Act may attend any institution of higher 
  education.
      (d) National Science Scholars.--Students awarded scholarships under 
  this Act shall be known as ``National Science Scholars''.
  
  SEC. 3. SELECTION OF SCHOLARS.
  
      (a) Selection Criteria for Initial Awards.--
              (1) Selection criteria.--The Director shall develop and 
          submit to the Secretary proposed criteria to be used in the 
          selection of National Science Scholars for initial year awards 
          under section 2(b)(1). Such criteria shall provide for the 
          selection of such scholars on the basis of potential to 
          successfully complete a postsecondary program in the physical, 
          life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or engineering, and on 
          the basis of motivation to pursue a career in such fields. In 
          addition, consideration may be given to the financial need of 
          the individual, and to promoting participation by minorities 
          and individuals with disabilities. The Director shall 
  determine proposed criteria for measuring the potential and motivation 
  of nominees.
              (2) Publication.--The Secretary and the Director shall 
          agree to, and jointly publish in the Federal Register, 
          appropriate selection criteria.
      (b) Selection Process for Initial Awards.--
              (1) Nominating committee.--Each State desiring to qualify 
          its students for selection as National Science Scholars shall 
          establish a nominating committee. Such committee shall be 
          appointed by the chief State school officer or by an existing 
          grant agency or panel designated by such officer, and shall be 
          approved by the Secretary. The nominating committee shall be a 
          broad-based committee composed of educators, scientists, 
          mathematicians, and engineers, who shall serve as volunteers 
          without compensation.
              (2) Nominations.--The nominating committee in each State 
          shall submit to the President the nominations of at least four 
          individuals from each congressional district in the State, at 
          least half of whom are female. Such selections shall be ranked 
          in order of priority.
              (3) Selection.--The President, after consultation with the 
          Secretary and the Director, shall select two National Science 
          Scholars for each academic year from each congressional 
          district, at least one of whom shall be female.
              (4) Announcement and award of scholarships.--The selection 
          process shall be completed, and the announcement of the 
          selection of National Science Scholars shall be made by the 
          President prior to January 1st of each fiscal year. The 
          Secretary shall notify each Member of Congress of selections 
          made from such Member's district and State before the public 
          announcement by the President. Presentation of scholarships may 
          be made in a public ceremony.
              (5) Congressional district.--For purposes of this 
          subsection, the term ``congressional district'' includes the 
          part or all of a State (within the meaning of section 1201(b) 
          of the Higher Education Act of 1965) represented by a Member or 
          Delegate of the House of Representatives, and includes the 
          Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
      (c) Continuation Awards.--The Secretary shall award additional 
  scholarships under section 2(b)(2) to recipients of initial awards 
  under section 2(b)(1) who the Secretary determines meet the 
  requirements of section 4(b).
      (d) Disbursal of Scholarship Proceeds.--Scholarship proceeds shall 
  be disbursed on behalf of students who receive scholarships under this 
  Act to the institutions of higher education at which the students are 
  enrolled. No scholarship proceeds shall be disbursed on behalf of a 
  student until the student is enrolled at an institution of higher 
  education.
      (e) Special Rule.--The Director and the Secretary shall encourage 
  the support and assistance of civic groups, the business community, 
  professional associations, institutions of higher education, and others 
  in providing scholarship assistance to National Science Scholarship 
  finalists.
  
  SEC. 4. ELIGIBILITY OF SCHOLARS.
  
      (a) Requirements for Initial Award.--To be eligible to receive a 
  scholarship under section 2(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 3(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 2(b)(1) may receive a scholarship 
  for a subsequent academic year of undergraduate education under section 
  2(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 intent 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 Act 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 Act 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 Act.
  
  SEC. 5. SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT.
  
      (a) Amount of Award.--Except as provided in subsections (b) and 
  (c), the amount of a scholarship awarded under this Act for any 
  academic year shall be $5,000.
      (b) Relation to Cost of Attendance.--Notwithstanding subsection 
  (a), the amount of a scholarship awarded under this Act shall be 
  reduced by the amount that the scholarship exceeds the student's cost 
  of attendance, as defined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 
  1965. A scholarship awarded under this Act shall not be reduced on the 
  basis of the student's receipt of other forms of Federal student 
  financial assistance, but shall be taken into account in determining 
  the eligibility of the student for those other forms of Federal student 
  financial assistance.
      (c) Adjustments for Insufficient Appropriations.--In the event that 
  funds available in a fiscal year are insufficient to fully fund all 
  awards under this Act, the amount paid to each student shall be reduced 
  proportionately.
  
  SEC. 6. SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOLARS.
  
      (a) Priority for Summer Employment.--To the extent that they are 
  otherwise qualified, students receiving scholarships under this Act 
  shall be given priority consideration for federally financed summer 
  employment in federally funded research and development centers, that, 
  to the maximum extent practicable, complements and reinforces the 
  educational program of these students.
      (b) Federal Agency Cooperation.--Federal agencies shall cooperate 
  fully with the Secretary and participate actively in providing 
  appropriate summer employment opportunities for such students.
  
  SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
  
      As used in this Act--
              (1) the term ``Director'' shall refer to the Director of 
          the National Science Foundation;
              (2) the term ``elementary school'' has the same meaning 
          given that term in section 14101(14) of the Elementary and 
          Secondary Education Act of 1965;
              (3) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
          same meaning given that term in section 1201(a) of the Higher 
          Education Act of 1965;
              (4) the term ``minorities'' refers to members of those 
          racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in mathematics, 
          science and engineering, including American Indians, Black 
          Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Alaskans, or Native 
          Pacific Islanders;
              (5) the term ``scholarship'' refers to a financial award 
          made to a student which enables a student to pursue a desired 
          course of study at an institution of higher education;
              (6) the term ``secondary school'' has the same meaning 
          given that term in section 14101(25) of the Elementary and 
          Secondary Education Act of 1965; and
              (7) the term ``Secretary'' refers to the Secretary of the 
          Department of Education.
target: Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for awards to National Science Scholars. 
  Authorizes the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of awarding scholarships to students for the study of the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or engineering.  Deems students awarded such scholarships National Science Scholars. 
  Sets forth the selection of scholars for initial awards and eligibility requirements for initial and continuation awards and directs the Secretary to notify all public and private secondary schools and all higher education institutions in each State annually of the availability of scholarships. 
  Limits the amount of a scholarship awarded for any academic year to $5,000. 
  Requires that students receiving scholarships shall be given priority consideration for federally financed summer employment in federally funded research and development centers that, to the maximum extent practicable, complements and reinforces the educational program of these students.
feat_title: To reestablish the National Science Scholars Program.