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