102 STAT. 3160

PUBLIC LAW 100-607—NOV. 4,1988

SEC. 712. NURSE ANESTHETISTS.

(a) TEAINEESHDPS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.—

(1) Section 831(aXD (42 U.S.C. 297-l(aXl)) is amended to read
as follows:

Grants. "(1) The Secretary may make grants to public or private nonprofit

institutions to cover the costs of tralneeships for licensed registered
nurses to become nurse anesthetists and to cover the costs of
projects to develop and operate programs for the education of nurse

Regulations. anesthetists. In order to be eligible for such a grant, the program of
an institution must be accredited by an entity or entities designated
by the Secretary of Education and must meet such requirements as
the Secretaiy shall by regulation prescribe.".

(2) Section 831(aX2) (42 U.S.C. 297-l(aX2)) is amended by
amending the second sentence to read as follows: "Payments for
traineeships shall be limited to such amounts as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to cover the costs of tuition and fees
and a stipend and allowances (including travel and subsistence
expenses) for trainees.".

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The first sentence of sec-
tion 831(c) (42 UJS.C. 297-l(c)) is amended to read as follows: "For
the purpose of making grants under this section, there is authorized
to be appropriated $1,800,000 for each of the fiscal years 1989
through 1991.".

SEC. 713. LOAN PROVISIONS.

(a) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN
UNCXHXECTABLE LOANS.—Section 835(cXl) (42 U.S.C. 297a(cXD) is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: "With
respect to tie student loan fund established pursuant to such agree-
ments, this subsection may not be construed to require such schools
to reimburse such loan fund for loans that became uncollectable
prior to 1983.".

(b) INCREASES WITH RESPECT TO ANNUAL AND AGGREGATE LOAN
TOTALS.—Section 836(a) (42 U.S.C. 297b(a)) is amended—

(1) iii the first sentence, by inserting before the period the
following: ", except that for the final two academic years of the
program involved, such total may not exceed $4,000"; and

(2) in the second sentence, by striking "$10,000" and inserting
"$13,000".

(c) PREFERENCE CATEGORY OF EXCEPTIONAL FINANCIAL NEED.—
Section 836(a) (42 U.S.C. 297b(a)) is amended in the third sentence by
striking "practical nurses and" and inserting "practical nurses, to
persons with exceptional financial need, and".

(d) REDUCTION OF ELIGIBILITY STANDARD OP NEED.—Section
83«bXlXC) (42 U.S.C. 297b(bXlXC)) is amended to read as follows:
"(Q with respect to any student enrolling in the school after June
30,1986, is of financial need (as defined in regulations issued by the
Secretary).".

(e) DEFERRAL PERIOD FOR HALF-TIME PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.—
Section 836(bX2XB) (42 U.&C. 297b(bX2)(B)) is amended—

(1) by striking "(up to five years)" and inserting "(up to ten
years)'; and

(2) by inserting after "full-time" the following: "or half-time".
(0 REDUCTION IN IN^REST RATE.—Section 836(bX5) (42 U.S.C.

297b(bX5)) is amended by striking "6 per centum" and inserting "5
percent".