to dedicate space to veteran offices, lounges, or student centers. (9) The 110th Congress authorized the funding of Student Veteran Centers through the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success under part T of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1161t ). Congress also chose to appropriate funding for this program in subsequent years, most recently for fiscal year 2023 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ( Public Law 117–328 ). (10) According to the Department of Education, federally funded Student Veteran Centers and staff have generated improved recruitment, retention, and graduation rates, have helped student veterans feel better connected across campus, and have directly contributed to the successful academic outcomes of student veterans. 3. Grant program to establish, maintain, and improve Student Veteran Centers Part T of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1161t ) is amended to read as follows: T Grants for Student Veteran Centers 873. Grants for Student Veteran Centers (a) Grants authorized Subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (h) , the Secretary shall award grants to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education to assist in the establishment, maintenance, improvement, and operation of Student Veteran Centers. (b) Eligibility (1) Application An institution or consortium seeking a grant under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Criteria The Secretary may award a grant under subsection (a) to an institution or a consortium if the institution or consortium meets each of the following criteria: (A) The institution or consortium enrolls in undergraduate or graduate courses— (i) a significant number of student veterans, members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, or members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces