1. Short title This Act may be cited as the American Hope Act of 2017 . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Eligible nonprofit organization The term eligible nonprofit organization shall mean a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, including a community, educational, faith-based or other immigrant-serving organization, whose staff has demonstrated qualifications, experience, or expertise in providing quality services to immigrants, refugees, persons granted asylum, or persons applying for such statuses. (2) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ), and any other educational institutions that the Secretary of Homeland Security or Secretary of Education may designate as such an institution of higher education for purposes of this Act. (3) Secretary Except as otherwise specifically provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security. 3. Restoration of State option to determine residency for purposes of higher education benefits (a) In general Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 ( 8 U.S.C. 1623 ) is repealed. (b) Effective date The repeal under subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (division C of Public Law 104–208