Academic Grants

Grants for first- and second-year undergraduates will be known as an Academic Competitiveness Grant.

First-Year Student Eligibility: In order to be eligible a student must be full-time, a U.S. citizen, and Pell eligible. And, must be a student enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a first-year, two- or four-year degree granting undergraduate program and, after January 1, 2006, must have successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program established by a State or local educational agency that is recognized as rigorous by the Secretary. Also, the individual has not previously been enrolled in a program of undergraduate education. The first-year award is $750.

Second-year Student Eligibility: In order to be eligible a student must be full-time, a U.S. citizen, Pell eligible, completed a rigorous secondary school program after January 1, 2005 and have at least a 3.0 GPA (or the equivalent as determined by regulation) at the end of the first academic year. The second-year award is $1,300.

SMART Grants: Grants for third- and fourth-year undergraduates will be known as a National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant or a National SMART Grant.
SMART Grant Eligibility: In order to be eligible a student must be full-time, a U.S. citizen, and Pell eligible. For third- or fourth-year eligibility is pursuing a major in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering (as determined by regulation) or in a foreign language that is critical to U.S. national security. The Secretary will consult with the Director of National Intelligence to choose such languages. Finally, the individual has a 3.0 GPA (or the equivalent as determined by regulation) in coursework required for the designated qualifying major. The third- and fourth-year award is $4,000 each year.
General Requirements for Both Programs: The following are requirement applicable to both the Academic Competitiveness Grant and the SMART Grant programs.
ACG/SMART Grants Cannot Exceed Cost of Attendance: These merit awards in combination with a Pell Grant award and all other resources cannot exceed the student's Cost of Attendance (COA).
Insufficient Funding Resulting in Reduction in Award: If, in any fiscal year the amount authorized and appropriated is less than the amount necessary to provide for a full payment to award recipients, then those awards will be ratably reduced. If additional appropriations are made for recipients whose awards were ratably reduced, then their award will be ratably increased as dictated by the amount of the additional appropriation, e.g. partially or fully restored depending on the level of additional appropriations.
Prior Year Credit Not Allowed: No award shall be made to any student for an academic year of undergraduate education if the student received credit before the date of enactment of this bill (the date the president signed the bill which is February 8, 2006).
One Award Per Year: A recipient cannot receive more than one award for each year of eligibility.
Mandatory Funding: Funds are authorized and appropriated (meaning this merit aid program is an entitlement, mandatory spending program) at the following levels: $790,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; $850,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; $920,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; $960,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and $1,010,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
Carry-over Authority: For any fiscal year in which funds exceed the amount necessary to make the required grants in the amounts specified, such excess funding must be available for grant awards in a subsequent fiscal year.
One School Per State Minimum Requirement: The Secretary shall recognize at least one rigorous secondary school in each State for the purpose of determining student eligibility.
Sunset: The program's authority expires at the end of the 2010-11 academic year.
For more info, check out http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2006/rnewgrantsconference031406.html
Amanda Balas
New Jersey National Guard Youth Coordinator
3650 Saylors Pond Road
Fort Dix, NJ 08640
Work: 609-562-0742
Fax: 609-562-0552
Toll Free: 1-888-859-0352

Our Military Kids, Inc.

Please forward to all…

The mission of Our Military Kids, Inc. is to ensure that the children of deployed and severely injured Reserve and National Guard personnel can afford to participate in activities such as youth sports, fine arts and tutoring programs that are so important in their young lives during this stressful time. An estimated 77,000 children (grades K-12) are eligible to apply. This is a grant so you will NOT have to repay Our Military Kids.

www.ourmilitarykids.org Homepage

http://www.ourmilitarykids.org/programs/omk_grant_application_revised.pdf Application form

Armed Forces Vacation CLub

Program Information
The Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC) is a "Space Available" program that offers Department of Defense affiliated personnel the opportunity to take affordable condominium vacations at resorts around the world for only $299 per unit per week. The AFVC makes this possible by utilizing "excess" inventory at condominium timeshare resorts. "Excess" inventory consists of condominium units that resort owners do not use, which generally means off-season or short-notice travel. If you enjoy off-season activities in popular locations without the hassle of high-season prices, crowds and lines or if you can travel on 10 days notice or less, the AFVC offers an incredible vacation value.
To determine the appeal and demand for off-season vacation travel, the AFVC began as a limited test in the Military District - Washington area - in January 1999. Eligibility was restricted to military ID card holders, only a handful of installations participated and there were just a few resorts available, all within driving distance. The program proved so popular, that it was rolled out to all CONUS on 1 August 1999 and introduced to Europe on 1 November 1999. On 1 January 2000, the AFVC went global and extended eligibility to anyone (over the age of 21) affiliated with the DoD; all seven Uniformed Services, active duty or retired (medical or regular), reserves, and National Guard (see Policies and Procedures for full eligibility details).
Our 7-night condominium vacations are extremely popular. The majority of availability is generally in the US, Mexico, South America, and Europe. Availability varies, but frequently covers two dozen or more countries. Condominium units typically include a full kitchen, stocked with everything from a refrigerator and stove to coffee pot and soap for the dishwasher. Many include washers and dryers. Most resorts provide amenities you aren't likely to get with a hotel room. Guests have access to on-site recreational facilities, swimming pools, fitness centers, game rooms, gift shops, restaurants and organized activities. Golf and skiing are available on-site at some resorts or nearby. Add area attractions and you have an exceptional vacation for far less than you would normally expect to pay.
While condominium units are at timeshare resorts, there is NO requirement to attend a timeshare presentation. Some resorts are already sold-out and do not have active sales centers on-site. If the resort is still in sales, at some time during your stay, you will probably be given an opportunity to attend a presentation in exchange for a premium or gift (free dinner, theater/show tickets, amusement/theme park tickets, etc.). DON'T PANIC. Everyone at these resorts, even owners, are given this same opportunity. If you like the incentive gift and want to attend the presentation, you are welcome to do so. Do not feel that you have to; you are under no obligation; just say, "No, thanks."
The current 7-day, Space-A, condo rental offer is a great value, but you may like other vacation choices and support as well. What if you can't travel off-season or on short notice? To help meet this need, we also offer a separate travel club that provides 24 hour service for discounted airline, rental cars, and hotel reservation services, as well as discounted cruise and tour packages. Imagine booking airline tickets, rental car, and hotel reservations and getting a 5% cash rebate after you get back from your trip. Would you like to take a discounted cruise and get a 5% cash rebate when you return home? Check out the Club Opportunities section for full details on this and other exciting opportunities available to you.
In addition, we offer rental units at high demand areas at peak-season at a special negotiated rate. Click here for more details

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a fantastic class that is offered quarterly by Army Community Service and sponsored by United Way. Kids’ ages 4 to 13 years of age can express feelings through art! Everyone who has taken it in the past really enjoyed it and the class helped with emotional issues following the departure of a parent. This is a four part class and all the dates are Tuesdays.

Dates: 25 April, 2 May, 9 May, and 16 May.

Times: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for kids ages 4 to 8 years old
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for kids ages 9 to 13 years old

Where: Army Community Service, Fort Dix

RSVP: Class size is limited so call 609-562-2767 to reserve your spot.


Amanda Balas
New Jersey National Guard Youth Coordinator
3650 Saylors Pond Road
Fort Dix, NJ 08640
Work: 609-562-0742
Fax: 609-562-0552
Toll Free: 1-888-859-0352

Department of Education Grants

Department of Education Announces New Grants

The Department of Education has announced two new grants for the 2006-2007 school year. The Academic Competitiveness and National SMART grants will provide high performing college students with up to $4,000 a year for maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA.Academic Competitiveness Grant An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. The program will be available for the first time for the 2006-07 school year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
http://www.military.com/Education/Content/1,13302,EN_031506-new-grants,00.html


Charles (Chuck) S. Clymer Jr.,

HQ U.S. Army, Child & Youth Services
School Transition Services Program Manager
4700 King Street, 4th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22302-4414
(703) 681-7231
DSN: 761-7231
FAX (703) 681-7240
E-Mail: charles.clymer@cfsc.army.mil

Military OneSource

Greetings:
The April issue of the OneSource Connection has arrived! Read about celebrating the well-being of military children during April for Month of the Military Child, find out about the theme for the 2006 Child Abuse Prevention campaign, learn about resources for enhancing parenting skills and talking with your child, get information on taking advantage of face-to-face non-medical counseling, learn more about the upcoming relocation webinar and how to register, find out about Operation Military Child Care and who is eligible to participate, and discover new or updated educational materials incorporated into the resource library.
Military OneSource sincerely appreciates your ongoing support of the program and encourage recipients of this newsletter to distribute this information to the widest audiences at your location. Remember the TurboTax promotion online for tax year 2005 will continue until mid- October 2006 to accommodate late filers.
Your feedback and comments are important. Please feel free to contact me by telephone, 913-651-3366 or email, opal.moore.harris@militaryonesource.com to share your thoughts, ideas or concerns.
Thank you.
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Opal Moore-Harris Military OneSource Phone: 913-651-3366 Cell: 913-940-0653 Opal.Moore.Harris@militaryonesource.com
Military OneSource Call anytime 1-800-342-9647 Access online at www.militaryonesource.com You name it... We can help.

20% Off with Military ID at Sears Portrait Studios

Click on the link below and go to Sears Portrait Studios where you can get 20% your next portrait package just by showing your military ID.

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