Webinar for High School and TRIO counselors March 2007

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created two new grant programs: National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART) Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) ACG and National Smart Grant

FSA For Counselors Grants

Grants Link to Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet for ACG and SMART Grants

Authorization and Funding Funding not subject to annual appropriations process: $790 million $850 million $920 million $960 million $1.01 billion - If funding insufficient, rateable reduction. - No reduction for Funds not spent in one year are carried over to subsequent years. Common to Both Programs

Award amounts are announced by the Secretary for each Academic year. These are the amounts for Academic year 0607 ACG – First Academic Year - $750 Second Academic Year - $1,300 National SMART Grant – $4,000 per year for each of the student’s third and fourth academic year of undergraduate study Common to Both Programs

All schools that participate in Pell Grants and offer an eligible educational program must participate in ACG and National SMART Grants Institutional Participation Common to Both Programs

ACG and National SMART are Separate and Distinct Programs Some Similarities Pell Recipient U.S. Citizen Fulltime ED established funding levels Need based Common to Both Programs

Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Need

Academic Competiveness Grant (ACG)

U.S. citizen Federal Pell Grant recipient for same academic year First or second year student in a two or four year degree program Full-time enrollment ACG Eligibility Requirements

1 st year students May not have been previously enrolled as a regular student in a program of undergraduate education Have completed secondary school program of study after January 1, nd year students Have graduated from secondary school program of study after January 1, 2005 Have a 3.0 G.P.A. in an eligible program from 1 st Title IV academic year ACG Eligibility Requirements

ACG requires graduation from a rigorous secondary school program ED has outlined options to meet requirement in DCL GEN Rigorous Secondary School Program

Options for Rigorous Program 1.State Designated Program An advanced or honors diploma established by a state and in existence for the or school year State Scholars Initiative Submitted State Recognized Plan

Options for Rigorous Program 2. A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative as outlined in the Secretary’s May 2 letter to states. 3.AP/IB: Successful completion of at least two courses with passing test score in those two courses of: Advanced Placement= 3 International Baccalaureate= 4

Options for Rigorous Program Coursework designated by the Secretary 4 years of English 3 years of math (Algebra I and above) 3 years of science (Bio, Chem, Physics) 3 years of social studies 1 year of a foreign language

Options for Rigorous Program All states responded by June 1 to Secretary’s May 2 request. All states have one or more designated programs. Students from every state have at least 3 ways to qualify for ACG

Analyzing Rigorous High School Credentials An institution is required to document and retain documentation that confirms eligibility against one of the five rigorous standard options. An institution can use which ever option is most efficient. –Including reviewing the courses approved by the Secretary which are similar to the State Scholar’s Initiative

On the web –When students who completed their Free application for Federal Student aid on the web at receive their confirmation that their FASFA has been received, they may be prompted to answer questions about their eligibility for ACG. How Do Students Apply?

FASFA on the Web Alert

Alert – New Grant Program

How Do Students Apply? If they have submitted a paper FAFSA and have received their Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating that they may be eligible to answer the ACG questions, they can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at FEDAID.

The student can indicate potential by visiting /writing the Financial aid office. The student will need to provide documentation. How Do Students Apply?

As counselors, you can encourage students to take courses that would meet the definition of “rigor”. You can assist students by providing documentation in a timely manner for the student to take to the school or provide the documentation to the school directly indicating that the student has met the criteria of “rigor”. How Can You Help?

You can help students in AP courses understand the need to take the AP exams. You can spread the word. How Can You Help?

Once the student has demonstrated eligibility the institution will follow the rules for disbursement and determine the “academic year” for the student. The grants are multiply disbursed. Disbursements

Grade Point Average for ACG For second academic year, a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 from the first academic year of eligible program. Only determined once after completion of first academic year.

HERA Links Financial Aid Professionals (FAP) Portal

HERA Links Link to: Rigorous High School Program Codes

Rigorous High School Program Codes

National SMART Grant Program

Eligible Majors Computer science Engineering Technology Life Sciences Mathematics Physical sciences Designated foreign languages Identified by CIP*

HERA Link Link to CIP Codes

CIP Codes

Monitoring Major Requires that a recipient– –Declare an eligible major in accordance with institution’s academic policy; or –Show intent to declare eligible major if school policy does not yet require a major. Institution must have process to monitor that student is making progress toward completion of the program with that eligible major.

This is for 3 rd and 4 th year students. The student must also be Pell eligible. It is need based. US Citizens only It for $4000 each year. Other Eligibility Rules

Questions????

Contact Information Claire “Micki” Roemer (202)