1 ACG and SMART Grants A Roadmap to Planning, Awarding and Monitoring Presented by Jean Gasparato Fall 2006 NCASFAA – SCASFAA Conference November 6-8, 2006 Asheville, NC

2 Get Ready, Get Set…GO!

3 Objectives Define the programs and walk through basics Define the programs and walk through basics Discuss how schools identify students Discuss how schools identify students Provide ‘quick lists’ of eligibility requirements Provide ‘quick lists’ of eligibility requirements Examine each eligibility requirement in some detail Examine each eligibility requirement in some detail Discuss monitoring challenges Discuss monitoring challenges Provide tips on paving the way Provide tips on paving the way Provide list of resources Provide list of resources

4 Let’s Start With… ACG ACG

5 What is the purpose of the ACG Program? The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) program is a new federal grant program designed to encourage high school students to participate in a rigorous high school curriculum in order to be better prepared for college. The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) program is a new federal grant program designed to encourage high school students to participate in a rigorous high school curriculum in order to be better prepared for college.

6 ACG Basics Available only to eligible students in their first or second academic year of a two- or four-year degree program. Available only to eligible students in their first or second academic year of a two- or four-year degree program. Maximum award for a first year student for is $ Maximum award for a first year student for is $ Maximum award for a second year student for is $ Maximum award for a second year student for is $ Students may receive only one full grant for each of the student’s first and second academic year. Students may receive only one full grant for each of the student’s first and second academic year. Grants are need-based and subject to reduction or cancellation in cases of overaward. Grants are need-based and subject to reduction or cancellation in cases of overaward.

7 How do students “apply” for ACG?  Students instructed to ‘self-identify’  Online (federal PIN # required)  Online (federal PIN # required)  By phone to  By phone to  Student answers a series of questions about their high school graduation date and their high school curriculum.

8 How are schools notified of students who self-identify? Schools receive ISIRs with comments 268, 269, 270. Schools receive ISIRs with comments 268, 269, 270. Comments correspond to the three eligibility criteria for a ‘rigorous high school curriculum’. Comments correspond to the three eligibility criteria for a ‘rigorous high school curriculum’. A student can have more than one applicable ISIR comment. A student can have more than one applicable ISIR comment.

9 Are all students who self-identify automatically eligible for ACG? No. The self-identification process is a “pre- screening” process to assist schools in identifying eligible students. Schools are REQUIRED to review each student who self- identifies. No. The self-identification process is a “pre- screening” process to assist schools in identifying eligible students. Schools are REQUIRED to review each student who self- identifies. Schools MAY develop and implement in-house identification procedures, but not required. Schools MAY develop and implement in-house identification procedures, but not required.

10 What are the eligibility criteria for a first year ACG? Must have graduated from high school after January 1, Must have graduated from high school after January 1, Must be Pell eligible. Must be Pell eligible. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must be enrolled full-time in a degree program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree. Must be enrolled full-time in a degree program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree. Must have completed a rigorous high school program of study. Must have completed a rigorous high school program of study. Must be in their first academic year. Must be in their first academic year. Must not have been previously enrolled. Must not have been previously enrolled.

11 What are the eligibility criteria for a second year ACG? Must have graduated from high school after January 1, Must have graduated from high school after January 1, Must be Pell eligible. Must be Pell eligible. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must be a U.S. citizen. Must be enrolled full-time in a degree program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree. Must be enrolled full-time in a degree program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree. Must have completed a rigorous high school program of study. Must have completed a rigorous high school program of study. Must be in their second academic year. Must be in their second academic year. Must have achieved a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the end of their first academic year. Must have achieved a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the end of their first academic year.

12 High School Graduation Requirements

13 High School Graduation The high school graduation cutoff dates for first and second year ACG will not roll forward in future years. They were established as a result of the date of enactment of the law. The high school graduation cutoff dates for first and second year ACG will not roll forward in future years. They were established as a result of the date of enactment of the law.  Expect non-traditional students in future  Expect non-traditional students in future

14 Pell Grant Requirement

15 Pell Eligibility Previous guidance was that a student may receive an ACG Grant only in a payment period in which a Pell Grant is received. Previous guidance was that a student may receive an ACG Grant only in a payment period in which a Pell Grant is received. New guidance released November 1 modifies the Pell eligibility requirement to allow payment of ACG in a payment period in which the student does not receive Pell Grant, as long as the student was eligible for Pell in the award year. New guidance released November 1 modifies the Pell eligibility requirement to allow payment of ACG in a payment period in which the student does not receive Pell Grant, as long as the student was eligible for Pell in the award year.

16 Citizenship Requirement

17 U.S. Citizenship Unlike other Title IV programs, only U.S. citizens are eligible for these grants. Eligible non-citizens (permanent residents) are not eligible. Unlike other Title IV programs, only U.S. citizens are eligible for these grants. Eligible non-citizens (permanent residents) are not eligible.  Must distinguish U.S. citizens from  Must distinguish U.S. citizens from eligible non-citizens. eligible non-citizens.

18 Full-Time Requirement

19 Define Full Time Enrollment  Must be a minimum of:  12 credit or quarter hours per semester or term, or  12 credit or quarter hours per semester or term, or  24 clock hours per week.  24 clock hours per week.  The definition of full-time is separate from the definition of academic year. A student can be considered full-time with 12 credits/semester even if academic year is defined as 30 credits. Sample definition: Sample definition: “The minimum number of credit hours required to receive full-time financial aid awards at (name of school) is twelve (12) credit hours for each semester.” “The minimum number of credit hours required to receive full-time financial aid awards at (name of school) is twelve (12) credit hours for each semester.”

20 Confirm Full Time Enrollment Department of Education guidelines require that schools must use their Pell Grant recalculation policy to determine enrollment status for ACG. Department of Education guidelines require that schools must use their Pell Grant recalculation policy to determine enrollment status for ACG.  Does your school use a census date?  Does your school use a census date?  Does your school adjust Pell Grant  Does your school adjust Pell Grant throughout the semester for students throughout the semester for students who add/drop credits? who add/drop credits?

21 Unique Requirements for First and Second Year ACG

22 Previous Enrollment Requirement (First Year ACG Only) Students must not have been previously enrolled in a program of undergraduate education leading to a degree or certificate while in high school. Students must not have been previously enrolled in a program of undergraduate education leading to a degree or certificate while in high school.  As long as the student had not been admitted to a postsecondary program as a regular student for the purpose of obtaining a degree or certificate while in high school, the student is not considered to have been previously enrolled.  As long as the student had not been admitted to a postsecondary program as a regular student for the purpose of obtaining a degree or certificate while in high school, the student is not considered to have been previously enrolled.  If a student took college courses while in high school without going through the admission process to be admitted as a regular student, the student is not considered to have been previously enrolled.  If a student took college courses while in high school without going through the admission process to be admitted as a regular student, the student is not considered to have been previously enrolled.

Cumulative GPA Requirement (Second Year ACG Only) Student must have achieved a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the end of the first academic year. Student must have achieved a 3.00 cumulative GPA at the end of the first academic year.  The end of the first academic year is the enrollment period in which the student completes the number of credits required to advance from their first year to their second year based on the school’s definition of an academic year.  The end of the first academic year is the enrollment period in which the student completes the number of credits required to advance from their first year to their second year based on the school’s definition of an academic year.  One-time check  One-time check

24 The Two Biggest Bumps in the Road Rigorous High School Program Academic Year

25 Rigorous High School Program Requirement

26 Rigorous High School Program Three ways to meet this requirement; student can qualify by meeting any one of them: Three ways to meet this requirement; student can qualify by meeting any one of them:  Completion of an Advanced or Honors Program recognized by the Department of Education (includes SSI). Comment 268  Completion of an Advanced or Honors Program recognized by the Department of Education (includes SSI). Comment 268  Completion of at least 2 AP or 2 IB courses with appropriate exam scores. Comment 269  Completion of at least 2 AP or 2 IB courses with appropriate exam scores. Comment 269  Completion of a “set of courses similar to SSI”. Comment 270  Completion of a “set of courses similar to SSI”. Comment 270

27 Completion of a High School Advanced or Honors Program  Comment 268 Advanced or honors programs that are recognized by the Department of Education can be found online at:

28 ED Rigorous Program Link

29 Ohio

30 Completion of AP/IB Coursework and Exams  Comment 269  Comment 269  Requires completion of at least 2 AP courses with a score of 3 or higher on the exams for those AP courses, or 2 IB courses with a score of 4 or higher on the exams for those IB courses.  Requires completion of at least 2 AP courses with a score of 3 or higher on the exams for those AP courses, or 2 IB courses with a score of 4 or higher on the exams for those IB courses.

31 Set of Courses Similar to SSI Comment 270 Comment 270 Set of courses: Set of courses:  4 years of English  4 years of English  3 years of Math (Algebra I and above)  3 years of Math (Algebra I and above)  3 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)  3 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)  3 years of Social Studies  3 years of Social Studies  1 year of a foreign language  1 year of a foreign language Does your school have standard admission requirements? Does your school have standard admission requirements? Are they comparable to this list? Are they comparable to this list?

32 Academic Year Requirement + = Credit Component plus Time Component equals Excedrin headache # 1

33 Define Your Academic Year  Credit/clock hour component  Minimum 24 semester hours, or  Minimum 24 semester hours, or  36 quarter hours, or  36 quarter hours, or  900 clock hours  900 clock hours  Time component (weeks of instructional time)  Minimum 30 weeks (semester or quarter hour  Minimum 30 weeks (semester or quarter hour schools) schools)  26 weeks for clock hour schools  26 weeks for clock hour schools  Most credit hour schools use a credit hour component of either 24 or 30 credits.  Reminder: The denominator of loan pro-ration formula is the number of credits used in your academic year definition.

34 Academic Year Sample definition Sample definition “(Name of school) defines an academic year for the purpose of administering federal Title IV financial aid as two 15- week semesters during which the average undergraduate student completes a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours.”

35 Recent Academic Year Flexibility GEN (October 20, 2006) GEN (October 20, 2006) Provides flexibility when AP/IB credits are part of the student’s total credits. Provides flexibility when AP/IB credits are part of the student’s total credits. Provides flexibility in defining ‘fourth academic year’ for 4-year programs. Follow-up clarification extends this flexibility to the definition of ‘second academic year’ for 2-year programs. Provides flexibility in defining ‘fourth academic year’ for 4-year programs. Follow-up clarification extends this flexibility to the definition of ‘second academic year’ for 2-year programs. News from NASFAA – 2 follow-up articles News from NASFAA – 2 follow-up articles

36 Next Stop… SMART SMART

37 What is the purpose of the SMART Grant Program? The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant Program is a new federal grant program designed to encourage students to pursue college majors critical to the global economy such as science, mathematics, technology and engineering, and foreign languages critical to the national security of the United States.

38 SMART Grant Basics Available only to eligible students in their third or fourth academic year of a four-year degree program. Available only to eligible students in their third or fourth academic year of a four-year degree program. Maximum award for a third or fourth year student in is $ Maximum award for a third or fourth year student in is $ Students may receive only one full grant for each of the student’s third and fourth academic year. Students may receive only one full grant for each of the student’s third and fourth academic year. Grants are need-based and subject to reduction or cancellation in cases of overaward. Grants are need-based and subject to reduction or cancellation in cases of overaward.

39 How do students “apply” for a SMART Grant? There is no self-identification process for the SMART Grant as there is with ACG. There is no self-identification process for the SMART Grant as there is with ACG. Schools are required to identify and award eligible students. Schools are required to identify and award eligible students.

40 What are the eligibility criteria for a SMART Grant? Must be Pell eligible.* Must be Pell eligible.* Must be a U.S. citizen.* Must be a U.S. citizen.* Must be enrolled full-time.* Must be enrolled full-time.* Must be in third or fourth academic year.* Must be in third or fourth academic year.* Must be enrolled in an ‘eligible major’ and pursuing a four-year degree, or pursuing a graduate degree which includes at least 3 academic years of undergraduate education. Must be enrolled in an ‘eligible major’ and pursuing a four-year degree, or pursuing a graduate degree which includes at least 3 academic years of undergraduate education. Must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA. Must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA. Major and GPA must be checked at each disbursement. Major and GPA must be checked at each disbursement. * Same discussion as with ACG

41 Eligible Major Requirement

42 Eligible Major Eligible majors are in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering, technology, critical foreign languages Eligible majors are in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering, technology, critical foreign languages Defined by Department of Education and provided in GEN (revised 8/25/06 as GEN-06-15) Defined by Department of Education and provided in GEN (revised 8/25/06 as GEN-06-15) Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Codes Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Codes Major must be reviewed at disbursement for each payment period. Major must be reviewed at disbursement for each payment period.

43 Eligible Major Students can move in and out of eligibility between semesters if majors change between semesters. Students can move in and out of eligibility between semesters if majors change between semesters. A student who is not in an eligible major at the beginning of a payment period but who changes to an eligible major within the payment period may receive a grant in that payment period. A student who is not in an eligible major at the beginning of a payment period but who changes to an eligible major within the payment period may receive a grant in that payment period. A student who is in an eligible major at the beginning of a payment period but who changes to an ineligible major within that payment period cannot receive further disbursements of SMART, but is not required to return funds that were already disbursed. A student who is in an eligible major at the beginning of a payment period but who changes to an ineligible major within that payment period cannot receive further disbursements of SMART, but is not required to return funds that were already disbursed.

44 GPA Requirement

Cumulative GPA For SMART, the GPA is cumulative through the most recently completed payment period and checked at disbursement. For SMART, the GPA is cumulative through the most recently completed payment period and checked at disbursement. A student who did not have a qualifying GPA at the beginning of one payment period could gain eligibility by the beginning of the next payment period. A student who did not have a qualifying GPA at the beginning of one payment period could gain eligibility by the beginning of the next payment period.

46 Transfer Students

47 Transfer Students  Transfer students are subject to the same general eligibility requirements as non- transfer students.  Clarification has been provided regarding:  Confirmation of rigorous high school  Confirmation of rigorous high school program program  Cumulative GPA calculation  Cumulative GPA calculation

48 Transfer Student Rigorous High School Program Requirement An institution may rely on a prior school’s determination that a student completed a rigorous high school program of study if NSLDS information shows previous disbursement of ACG. An institution may rely on a prior school’s determination that a student completed a rigorous high school program of study if NSLDS information shows previous disbursement of ACG.

49 Transfer Student GPA Requirement  If a student has no prior enrollment at your institution, use the GPA of transfer credits accepted by your institution.  If a student does have prior enrollment at your institution and an institutional GPA has already been established, use the institutional GPA if that is your normal policy.  For semesters after the initial transfer semester, use the cumulative GPA calculation your institution would normally use.

50 Monitoring

51 Monitoring Challenges Change of academic year and/or GPA from time the initial award was made Change of academic year and/or GPA from time the initial award was made  Late addition of transfer credits  Late addition of transfer credits  Late posting of study abroad credits/grades  Late posting of study abroad credits/grades  Student behavior (drop/add/withdraw/fail)  Student behavior (drop/add/withdraw/fail)  Late grades/grade changes  Late grades/grade changes Financial need (overawards) Financial need (overawards) Pell eligibility changes Pell eligibility changes

52 Monitoring Challenges Remaining eligibility based on percentages Remaining eligibility based on percentages = $ = $700 Fall 06 not enrolled Spr credits Su 07 not enrolled Fall credits Spr credits ACG1ACG1ACG1ACG1 ACG 2? $0$300$0$350 0%40%0%50%

53 Appeals

54 Can students appeal their eligibility for the grants? The general eligibility criteria for the grants cannot be appealed. The general eligibility criteria for the grants cannot be appealed.

55 Paving the Road to Success

56 Paving the Road to Success Meet with your Admissions Office and Registrar to learn about: Meet with your Admissions Office and Registrar to learn about:  Standard admission requirements  Standard admission requirements  Policy on ‘exceptions’ to standard admission  Policy on ‘exceptions’ to standard admission  Timing / policies on data entry  Timing / policies on data entry  Calculation of transfer GPA  Calculation of transfer GPA  Accessibility to data  Accessibility to data  Set up processes / define responsibilities  Set up processes / define responsibilities  Set up contacts for each office  Set up contacts for each office

57 Paving the Road to Success  Make awarding/packaging decisions.  Will the grant be ‘estimated’ or put on ‘hold’ until  Will the grant be ‘estimated’ or put on ‘hold’ until all documentation is received? Will this impact all documentation is received? Will this impact fee payment? fee payment? Are fund codes and accounts set up so student can be paid? Are fund codes and accounts set up so student can be paid? Are R2T4 procedures in place for ACG/SMART? Are R2T4 procedures in place for ACG/SMART? Evaluate other processes that are impacted and set your policies. Evaluate other processes that are impacted and set your policies.  overawards  overawards  eligibility checks at disbursement  eligibility checks at disbursement  Determine how you will correspond with students.

58Resources DCL GEN (Introduction of New Programs – April 2006) DCL GEN (Introduction of New Programs – April 2006) DCL GEN (SMART Eligible Majors – May 2006) DCL GEN (SMART Eligible Majors – May 2006) DCL GEN (Additional Implementation Guidance – May 2006) DCL GEN (Additional Implementation Guidance – May 2006) DCL GEN (Revised SMART Eligible Majors – August 2006) DCL GEN (Revised SMART Eligible Majors – August 2006) DCL GEN (Implementation of ‘Academic Year’ Definition in the ACG and SMART Grant Programs – October, 2006) DCL GEN (Implementation of ‘Academic Year’ Definition in the ACG and SMART Grant Programs – October, 2006) Federal Register 34 CFR Parts 668, 674 et al. Interim Regulations (July 3, 2006) Federal Register 34 CFR Parts 668, 674 et al. Interim Regulations (July 3, 2006) IFAP website, HERA Information Link, FAQs IFAP website, HERA Information Link, FAQs NASFAA HERA Implementation Resources NASFAA HERA Implementation Resources

59 Finished! Thank you!

60 QUESTIONS?