---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 1097a"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "1097a"
heading: "Administrative subpoenas"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/1097a"
units:
  - "Chapter 28 — Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance"
  - "Subchapter IV — Student Assistance"
  - "Part G — General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs"
---

# §1097a. Administrative subpoenas

- (a) **Authority—** To assist the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) in the conduct of investigations of possible violations of the provisions of this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) is authorized to require by subpoena the [production](/usc/20/952.md?p=c) of information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other documentary evidence pertaining to participation in any program under this subchapter. The [production](/usc/20/952.md?p=c) of any such records may be required from any place in a [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A).
- (b) **Enforcement—** In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any person, the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) may request the Attorney General to invoke the aid of any court of the United States where such person resides or transacts business for a court order for the enforcement of this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 490A, as added Pub. L. 105–244, title IV, § 490B, Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1754.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105–244, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105–244, set out as an Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note under section 1001 of this title.