(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Administrator

The term “Administrator” means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(2) Member of the program

The term “member of the program” means a student who is enrolled in the program.

(3) Program

The term “program” means an aviation accession training program of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration established pursuant to subsection (b).

(b) Aviation accession training programs

(1) Establishment authorized

The Administrator, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, shall establish and maintain one or more aviation accession training programs for the commissioned officer corps of the Administration at institutions described in paragraph (2).

(2) Institutions described

An institution described in this paragraph is an educational institution—

(A) that requests to enter into an agreement with the Administrator providing for the establishment of the program at the institution;

(B) that has, as a part of its curriculum, a four-year baccalaureate program of professional flight and piloting instruction that is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International;

(C) that is located in a geographic area that—

(i) experiences a wide variation in climate-related activity, including frequent high winds, convective activity (including tornadoes), periods of low visibility, heat, and snow and ice episodes, to provide opportunities for pilots to demonstrate skill in all weather conditions compatible with future encounters during their service in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration; and

(ii) has a climate that can accommodate both primary and advanced flight training activity at least 75 percent of the year; and

(D) at which the Administrator determines that—

(i) there will be at least one student enrolled in the program; and

(ii) the provisions of this section are otherwise satisfied.

(3) Limitations in connection with particular institutions

The program may not be established or maintained at an institution unless—

(A) the senior commissioned officer or employee of the commissioned officer corps of the Administration who is assigned as an advisor to the program at that institution is given the academic rank of adjunct professor; and

(B) the institution fulfills the terms of its agreement with the Administrator.

(4) Membership in connection with status as student

At institutions at which the program is established, the membership of students in the program shall be elective, as provided by State law or the authorities of the institution concerned.

(c) Membership

(1) Eligibility

To be eligible for membership in the program, an individual must—

(A) be a student at an institution at which the program is established;

(B) be a citizen of the United States;

(C) contract in writing, with the consent of a parent or guardian if a minor, with the Administrator, to—

(i) accept an appointment, if offered, as a commissioned officer in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration; and

(ii) serve in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration for not fewer than four years;

(D) enroll in—

(i) a four-year baccalaureate program of professional flight and piloting instruction; and

(ii) other training or education, including basic officer training, which is prescribed by the Administrator as meeting the preliminary requirement for admission to the commissioned officer corps of the Administration; and

(E) execute a certificate or take an oath relating to morality and conduct in such form as the Administrator prescribes.

(2) Completion of program

A member of the program may be appointed as a regular officer in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration if the member meets all requirements for appointment as such an officer.

(d) Financial assistance for qualified members

(1) Expenses of course of instruction

(A) In general

In the case of a member of the program who meets such qualifications as the Administrator establishes for purposes of this subsection, the Administrator may pay the expenses of the member in connection with pursuit of a course of professional flight and piloting instruction under the program, including tuition, fees, educational materials such as books, training, certifications, travel, and laboratory expenses.

(B) Assistance after fourth academic year

In the case of a member of the program described in subparagraph (A) who is enrolled in a course described in that subparagraph that has been approved by the Administrator and requires more than four academic years for completion, including elective requirements of the program, assistance under this subsection may also be provided during a fifth academic year or during a combination of a part of a fifth academic year and summer sessions.

(2) Room and board

In the case of a member eligible to receive assistance under paragraph (1), the Administrator may, in lieu of payment of all or part of such assistance, pay the room and board expenses of the member, and other educational expenses, of the educational institution concerned.

(3) Failure to complete program or accept commission

A member of the program who receives assistance under this subsection and who does not complete the course of instruction, or who completes the course but declines to accept a commission in the commissioned officer corps of the Administration when offered, shall be subject to the repayment provisions of subsection (e).

(e) Repayment of unearned portion of financial assistance when conditions of payment not met

(1) In general

A member of the program who receives or benefits from assistance under subsection (d), and whose receipt of or benefit from such assistance is subject to the condition that the member fully satisfy the requirements of subsection (c), shall repay to the United States an amount equal to the assistance received or benefitted from if the member fails to fully satisfy such requirements and may not receive or benefit from any unpaid amounts of such assistance after the member fails to satisfy such requirements, unless the Administrator determines that the imposition of the repayment requirement and the termination of payment of unpaid amounts of such assistance with regard to the member would be—

(A) contrary to a personnel policy or management objective;

(B) against equity and good conscience; or

(C) contrary to the best interests of the United States.

(2) Regulations

The Administrator may establish, by regulations, procedures for determining the amount of the repayment required under this subsection and the circumstances under which an exception to repayment may be granted. The Administrator may specify in the regulations the conditions under which financial assistance to be paid to a member of the program will not be made if the member no longer satisfies the requirements in subsection (c) or qualifications in subsection (d) for such assistance.

(3) Obligation as debt to United States

An obligation to repay the United States under this subsection is, for all purposes, a debt owed to the United States.