Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grants

The Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants, were created by the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 with initial awards made during the 2006-2007 award year.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study.

To be eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant you must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient during the same award year. In order to be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant you must be a recipient during the same award year. In order to be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant a student must complete the

To be eligible a student must also meet the following criteria:

U.S. citizen
Enrolled at least half-time in a degree program
Enrolled in first or second academic year of study
Completed a rigorous secondary school program of study
If first-year student, not have been enrolled previously as a regular student in an ACG-eligible college program when still in high school and was at or below the age of compulsory school attendance
• If second-year student, have successfully completed the first year and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

For more information on the Academic Competitiveness Grant visit Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.

National SMART Grant

The National SMART Grant is available to students majoring in physical or life sciences, computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or in a foreign language deemed critical to national security. The National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study.

Students must be Federal Pell Grant recipients during the same award year. In order to be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible a student must also meet the following criteria:

U.S. citizen
Enrolled at least half-time in a degree program
Enrolled in a four-year degree-granting institution
Have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

To learn more about the National SMART Grant visit Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.