[Comments on Applicability of Grant-Back Provision of General Education Provisions Act to Library Services and Construction Act Programs]

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO determined whether the grant-back provision of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) applied to programs funded under the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). The provision allows Education to repay a state or local agency up to 75 percent of any applicable program funds recovered from a final audit determination. GAO found that: (1) the grant-back provision was not limited to program funds recovered from state or local educational agencies; (2) final audit determinations did not require express authority; and (3) since LSCA programs were applicable and within the Education Appeal Board's audit jurisdiction, they were subject to the grant-back provisions of GEPA.