(1) The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency shall use funds appropriated for matching payments for student aid funds to maximize the receipt of Federal funds to the fullest extent possible.

(2) No college, university or institution receiving a direct appropriation from the Commonwealth shall be eligible to participate in the institutional assistance grants program.

(1) The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency may, in conformance with policies, standards, rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education, contract with institutions of higher education for the awarding of higher education equal opportunity program grants. Programs for which grants may be awarded shall include remedial learning services, counseling services or tutorial services. Funds provided under this subsection may not be used to pay tuition, room and board or other institutional costs or fees incurred by students.

(2) Each institution of higher education requesting a grant to provide a program under this subsection shall submit an application in a form and manner as the agency may require. The application shall include a description of the nature and the methods by which all funds granted will be used by the applicant institution to contribute to the provision, maintenance or improvement of programs designed to enhance opportunities for disadvantaged part-time and full-time students to achieve their educational goals.

(3) The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency shall use funds appropriated for higher education of blind or deaf students to make grants for defraying the necessary expenses of any students who are blind or deaf and who are regularly enrolled students pursuing a course of study or profession in a university, college, conservatory of music, normal, professional or vocational school approved by the Department of Education. In order to receive a grant, a blind or deaf student who desires to attend, or who is attending, a school or institution shall apply as required under paragraph (2). Grant awards shall be established annually by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency based on available resources.

(4) Up to 2.5% of funds appropriated annually to carry out the purposes of this subsection may be used to pay the costs of administration.

(5) Beginning July 1, 2011, the rights, powers and duties exercised by the Secretary of Education under the former act of August 31, 1971 (P.L. 423, No. 101),¹ known as the Higher Education Equal Opportunity Act, are transferred to and shall be exercised by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Existing regulations promulgated under the former Higher Education Equal Opportunity Act shall continue in full force and effect by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency until the agency promulgates new or additional regulations.

(6) The agency shall have access to student-level data that is collected by the Department of Education that relates to the administration of this subsection in accordance with Federal and State law.

(7) As used in this subsection, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Has been admitted into a degree program as a less than full-time student in an institution of higher education.

(2) Is enrolled in at least the equivalent of six semester credits or 225 clock hours of instruction per semester in an institution of higher education.

(3) Is economically and educationally disadvantaged in accordance with the criteria established by the State Board of Education.