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Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and National SMART Grant
These new federal grant programs will provide $4.5 billion in student aid over the next five years. The grants provide further incentive for students to take more challenging courses in high school and to pursue college majors that are in high demand in the global economy, such as science, math, technology, engineering and critical foreign languages.
Eligibility for these grants is
determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
Eligibility Requirements
1st Academic Year Undergraduate ACG Recipients must:
- Be Pell Grant recipients
- Be U.S. citizens
- Be enrolled full-time in a 2- or 4-year degree program
- Have graduated from high school since January 1, 2006
- Demonstrate need as determined by submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Have completed a rigorous secondary school curriculum
- Be enrolled for the first time as a regular undergraduate student
The maximum ACG award amount for a first academic year undergraduate is $750 for the academic year.
2nd Academic Year Undergraduate ACG Recipients must:
- Be Pell Grant recipients
- Be U.S. citizens
- Be enrolled full-time in a 2- or 4-year degree program
- Have graduated from high school since January 1, 2005
- Demonstrate need as determined by submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Have completed a rigorous secondary school curriculum
- Have earned a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 30 credit hours
The maximum ACG award amount for a second academic year undergraduate is $1,300 for the academic year.
3rd and 4th Academic Year Undergraduate SMART Grant Recipients must:
- Be Pell Grant recipients
- Be U.S. citizens
- Be enrolled full-time in specific designated majors (see below)
- Demonstrate need as determined by submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Have earned a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 60 credit hours (3rd year student) or 90 credit hours (4th year student)
The maximum SMART Grant award amount for a third or
fourth academic year undergraduate is $4,000 for the academic year.
Application Process
ACG - File the FAFSA and
complete the questions regarding rigorous secondary course work.
SMART - File the FAFSA. You must be currently enrolled in an eligible major in one of the following categories: Computer Science, Engineering, Critical Foreign Languages, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technology, or Multidisciplinary Studies.
Eligible Majors at USC Aiken:
MAJOR CODE DESCRIPTION 106 Biology 109 Chemistry 126 INDUSTRIAL MATH 140 MATH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
Dropping a Class or Withdrawing
If
you are receiving the Academic Competitiveness or SMART Grant
or any other financial
aid, dropping a class or withdrawing may affect your refund.
Depending upon the type(s) of financial aid awards involved,
the timing of the withdrawal, the amount of the refund, and other
factors, the financial aid recipient might receive a portion of the
total refund amount or none of the refund amount.
Under certain
circumstances, the financial aid recipient that withdraws or drops
classes will be required to repay financial aid funds received.
A student that
drops below full-time enrollment (a minimum of 12 USCA hours) before
the end of the 100% refund period (the end of the first week
of classes), will not be eligible for the Academic
Competitiveness Grant or the National SMART Grant
for the current semester. Repayment of ACG or SMART Grant funds
disbursed will be required.
A
student who is considering withdrawing or dropping a class
should consult a Financial Aid Administrator before taking
this action.
For Further Information
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You may access additional information on the Federal Student Aid website:
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Click here for information on the Academic Competitiveness Grant.
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Click here for information on the National SMART Grant.
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You may also contact the USC Aiken Office of Financial Aid if you have further questions or if you need additional information:
471 University Parkway
w
Aiken, SC
29801
Telephone: (803) 641-3476 w
Fax: (803) 643-6840
E-mail:
StuAid@usca.edu
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Please be aware that the information provided here is subject to change by the U.S. Department of Education. |
Inquiries to StuAid@usca.edu
Last updated/reviewed 11.17.08
