Enrollment Management Electronic Newsletter

Two New Federal Grant Programs - ACG and National SMART

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created two new grant programs: Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (National SMART) Grant. The fall 2006 semester was the first enrollment for which the grants could be awarded.

Similarities for Both Programs

US citizens only - eligible non-citizens are not eligible

Federal Pell Grant recipient during the same payment period or in same award year

Full time enrollment in the payment period

Enrolled in degree program

Progression by student's Academic Year in School (Title IV definition)

Only one full scheduled award for each academic year

Distinctions for ACG

1st and 2nd academic years of a four year degree program

Requires completion of rigorous secondary school program of study

1st academic year - $750

2nd academic year - $1,300

GPA of at least 3.0 as of the end of the 1st academic year only

Distinctions for National SMART

3rd & 4th academic years of a four year degree program

Requires student to be in a designated major - at Shepherd, Biology and any concentration in Computer and Information Sciences, Mathematics and Chemistry

3rd academic year - $4,000

4th academic year - $4,000

GPA of at least 3.0 as of the beginning of each payment period

Transcript and scheduled courses reviewed to ensure classes appropriate to major

http://www.shepherd.edu/faoweb/