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The Academic Competiveness Grant (ACG) and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grant programs were established with the signing of the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 and are intended to encourage, respectively, rigorous academic study in high school and enrollment in college majors in the physical, life, and computer sciences; engineering; technology; mathematics; and certain foreign languages.
ACG awards are for students that are in their first or second academic year, while National SMART grant awards are for students in their third and fourth academic year.
The requirements listed below are effective for the 2009-2010 academic year.
ACG High School Requirements-
For qualifying for an ACG, any one of the following programs meets the “rigorous secondary school program of study” requirement:
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A program for a student who completes at least two courses in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program with a score of four or higher on the course examinations or at least two Advanced Placement (AP) courses with a score of three or higher on the College Board’s exams for those courses.
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While in High School completed the required courses for the State Scholars Initiative:
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Four years of English;
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Three years of math, including algebra I and a higher level class such as algebra II, geometry, or data analysis and statistics;
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Three years of science, including one year each of at least two of the following courses: biology, chemistry, and physics;
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Three years of social studies; and
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One year of a language other than English.
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Advanced or honors secondary state recognized program of study (i.e. received Florida Academic or Medallion Scholars recipient)
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Students who are homeschooled must have a cognizant authority certify that their program meets one of the definitions of the rigorous secondary school program of study. Cognizant authorities includes, but is not limited to, an LEA, SEA or other state agency, a public or private high school, a testing organization such as the College Board or a state agency, or, for homeschooled students, the parent or guardian.
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Students who received a GED are ineligible for ACG funds. These same students may receive SMART grant funds once they become a junior or senior provided they meet all other eligibility criteria at that time.
The USF Office of Undergraduate Admission maintains High School transcripts and other credentials used to certify a student’s eligibility for the ACG.
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ACG Year 1 (one) Requirements
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1st academic year undergraduate [Freshman 0-29 hours earned]:
Grant amount: Up to $750 during freshman year, prorated based on enrollment.
Recipients must:
ACG Year 2 (two) Requirements-
2nd academic year undergraduate [Sophomore 30-59 hours earned]:
Grant amount: Up to $1,300 during sophomore year, prorated based on enrollment.
Recipients must:
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Be enrolled at least half time, consult academic advisor for course selection
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Be U.S. citizens or eligible non citizen
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Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
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Be pursuing a first baccalaureate degree
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Be eligible for federal Pell Grants
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Completed a rigorous secondary school program after January 1, 2005 AND be classified as a sophomore
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Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the conclusion of the first year of undergraduate education (completion of 30 credit hours)
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Must not have received SMART Grant funds.
National SMART Year 3 (three) Requirements-
3rd academic year undergraduate [Junior 60-89 hours earned]:
Grant amount: Up to $4000 during Junior year, prorated based on enrollment.
Recipients must:
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Be enrolled at least half time, consult academic advisor for course selection
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Be U.S. citizens or eligible non citizen
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Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
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Be eligible for federal Pell Grants
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Be pursuing a first baccalaureate degree in an eligible major: National SMART Grants - Fields of Study
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Eligible major must be approved before end of drop/add to reserve the award for the term, consult academic advisor for course selection
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Have a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.0 at the time of each disbursement
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If that student’s GPA is below a 3.0 after the first term, the student will not be paid SMART funds until the next term their cumulative overall GPA is 3.0 or higher (all other eligibility requirements are still met)
National SMART Year 4 (four) Requirements-
4th academic year undergraduate [Senior 90-1st Bachelor’s Degree Awarded]:
Grant amount: Up to $4,000 during Senior year, prorated based on enrollment.
Recipients must:
Additional Information-
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The grant amount in combination with Pell grant assistance and remaining financial aid may not exceed unmet need or the cost of attendance (including student loans).
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If the total amount of the grant fund is less than the amount required to provide grants to all eligible students, then the amount of the grant for each student will be ratably reduced by the U.S. Department of Education nationally.
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If additional amounts are then appropriated for any fiscal year the reduced grants will be increased in the same manner as they were reduced.
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Remedial coursework will be counted for enrollment when determining ACG eligibility but not SMART grant eligibility.
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