article: SECTION 1. THURGOOD MARSHALL LEGAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. Chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 402H of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1070a-18) the following: ``SEC. 402I. LEGAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. ``(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to be known as the `Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program' designed to provide low-income, minority, or disadvantaged college students with the information, preparation, and financial assistance to gain access to and complete law school study. ``(b) Eligibility.--A college student is eligible for assistance under this section if the student is-- ``(1) from a low-income family; ``(2) a minority; or ``(3) from an economically or otherwise disadvantaged background. ``(c) Contract or Grant Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with, or make a grant to, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, for a period of not less than 5 years-- ``(1) to identify college students who are from low-income families, are minorities, or are from disadvantaged backgrounds described in subsection (b)(3); ``(2) to prepare such students for study at accredited law schools; ``(3) to assist such students to select the appropriate law school, make application for entry into law school, and receive financial assistance for such study; ``(4) to provide support services to such students who are first-year law students to improve retention and success in law school studies; and ``(5) to motivate and prepare such students with respect to law school studies and practice in low-income communities. ``(d) Services Provided.--In carrying out the purposes described in subsection (c), the contract or grant shall provide for the delivery of services through prelaw information resource centers, summer institutes, midyear seminars, and other educational activities, conducted under this section. Such services may include-- ``(1) information and counseling regarding-- ``(A) accredited law school academic programs, especially tuition, fees, and admission requirements; ``(B) course work offered and required for graduation; ``(C) faculty specialties and areas of legal emphasis; ``(D) undergraduate preparatory courses and curriculum selection; ``(2) tutoring and academic counseling, including assistance in preparing for bar examinations; ``(3) prelaw mentoring programs, involving law school faculty, members of State and local bar associations, and retired and sitting judges, justices, and magistrates; ``(4) assistance in identifying preparatory courses and material for the law school aptitude or admissions tests; ``(5) summer institutes for Thurgood Marshall Fellows that expose the Fellows to a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes abstract thinking, legal analysis, research, writing, and examination techniques; and ``(6) midyear seminars and other educational activities that are designed to reinforce reading, writing, and studying skills of Thurgood Marshall Fellows. ``(e) Duration of the Provision of Services.--The services described in subsection (d) may be provided-- ``(1) prior to the period of law school study; ``(2) during the period of law school study; and ``(3) during the period following law school study and prior to taking a bar examination. ``(f) Subcontracts and Subgrants.--For the purposes of planning, developing, or delivering one or more of the services described in subsection (d), the Council on Legal Education Opportunity shall enter into subcontracts with, and make subgrants to, institutions of higher education, law schools, public and private agencies and organizations, and combinations of such institutions, schools, agencies, and organizations. ``(g) Stipends.--The Secretary shall annually establish the maximum stipend to be paid (including allowances for participant travel and for the travel of the dependents of the participant) to Thurgood Marshall Fellows for the period of participation in summer institutes and midyear seminars. A Fellow may be eligible for such a stipend only if the Fellow maintains satisfactory academic progress toward the Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws degree, as determined by the respective institutions. ``(h) Maximum Level.--For any year for which an appropriation is made to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall allocate not more than $5,000,000 for the purpose of providing the services described in subsection (d).''.
summary: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program to provide low-income, minority, or disadvantaged college students with information, preparation, and financial assistance to gain access to and complete law school study. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with, or make a grant to, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, for at least a five-year period, to deliver specified services under such program, directly and through subgrants and subcontracts. Directs the Secretary to establish annually the maximum stipend to be paid to Thurgood Marshall Fellows for the period of prelaw preparation in summer institutes and midyear seminar prior to and during the period of law school study. Sets forth the maximum amount of grants for such program services for any fiscal year.