117 STAT. 1794
PUBLIC LAW 108–136—NOV. 24, 2003
the Federal debt collection procedures in chapter 176 of title 28, United States Code, or other applicable administrative remedies.’’. (c) DEGREES AWARDED.—Section 1303(g) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1295b(g)) is amended to read as follows: ‘‘(g) DEGREES AWARDED.— ‘‘(1) BACHELOR’S DEGREE.—The Superintendent of the Academy may confer the degree of bachelor of science upon any individual who has met the conditions prescribed by the Secretary and who, if a citizen of the United States, has passed the examination for a merchant marine officer’s license. No individual may be denied a degree under this subsection because the individual is not permitted to take such examination solely because of physical disqualification. ‘‘(2) MASTER’S DEGREE.—The Superintendent of the Academy may confer a master’s degree upon any individual who has met the conditions prescribed by the Secretary. Any master’s degree program may be funded through non-appropriated funds. In order to maintain the appropriate academic standards, the program shall be accredited by the appropriate accreditation body. The Secretary may make regulations necessary to administer such a program.’’. (d) STUDENT INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.—Section 1304(g) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1295c(g)) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘$3,000’’ in paragraph (1) and inserting ‘‘$4,000’’; (2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ‘‘attending, unless the individual is separated by such academy;’’ and inserting ‘‘attending;’’; (3) by striking paragraph (3)(C) and inserting the following: ‘‘(C) to maintain a valid license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States for at least 6 years following the date of graduation from such State maritime academy of such individual, accompanied by the appropriate national and international endorsements and certification as required by the United States Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and international voyages;’’; (4) by striking paragraph (3)(E)(iii) and inserting the following: ‘‘(iii) as a commissioned officer on active duty in an armed force of the United States, as a commissioned officer in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or in other maritime-related employment with the Federal Government which serves the national security interests of the United States, as determined by the Secretary; or’’; (5) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: ‘‘(4)(A) If the Secretary determines that an individual who has accepted the payment described in paragraph (1) for a minimum of 2 academic years has failed to fulfill the part of the agreement required by paragraph (1) and described in paragraph (3)(A), such individual may be ordered by the Secretary of Defense to active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States to serve for a period of time not to exceed 2 years. In cases of hardship, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may waive this provision in whole or in part. ‘‘(B) If the Secretary of Defense is unable or unwilling to order an individual to active duty under subparagraph (A), or if the
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