20 U.S.C. § 1133: Purpose

in order to attract students of superior ability and achievement, exceptional promise, and demonstrated financial need, into high-quality graduate programs and provide the students with the financial support necessary to complete advanced degrees; and sustain and enhance the capacity for graduate education in areas of national need, including those areas critical to United States national and homeland security needs, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and encourage talented students to pursue scholarly careers in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts; and to promote postsecondary programs.