; and (C) the fiscal or award year, as applicable, preceding the fiscal or award year described in subparagraph (A). (4) Other factors determined to be relevant by the Secretary. (d) Continued payment to employees A State that receives relief under subsection (a) or subsection (b) shall, to the greatest extent practicable, continue to pay its employees of, and contractors with, public institutions of higher education in the State during the period in which the State is receiving such relief. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Elevated unemployment period The term elevated unemployment period means a consecutive 3-month period in a fiscal year in which the State average unemployment rate is not less than 0.5 percentage points above the lowest State average unemployment rate for the 12-month period preceding such 3-month period. (2) National average unemployment rate The term national average unemployment rate means the average (seasonally adjusted) rate of total unemployment in all States for a consecutive 3-month period in a fiscal year, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. (3) Qualifying spending requirement The term qualifying spending requirement means the requirement that a State not disproportionately decrease spending for any of the categories described in subparagraphs (1) through (3) of section 787(b) relative to such State’s overall, average decrease in spending for the 3 consecutive preceding fiscal years. (4) State average unemployment rate The term State average unemployment rate means the average (seasonally adjusted) rate of total unemployment in a State for a consecutive 3-month period in a fiscal year. 789. Applications In order to receive a grant under this subpart, a State or Tribal College or University shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. In the case of a State, such application shall be submitted by the State agency with jurisdiction over higher