((a)) ** .—** The Secretary of the Navy may enter into an agreement with an accredited institution of higher education to permit a student described in subsection (b) enrolled at that institution to receive instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School on a tuition-free basis. In exchange for the admission of the student, the institution of higher education shall be required to permit an officer of the armed forces to attend on a tuition-free basis courses offered by that institution corresponding in length to the instruction provided to the student at the Naval Postgraduate School.
((b)) ** .—** A student enrolled at an institution of higher education that is party to an agreement under subsection (a) may be admitted to the Naval Postgraduate School pursuant to that agreement if—
((1)) the student is a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; and
((2)) the Secretary of the Navy determines that the student has a demonstrated ability in a field of study designated by the Secretary as related to naval warfare and national security.