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How to Apply for a Smart Grant

The U.S. Department of Education provides SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) Grants to qualified students in their third or fourth year of undergraduate studies. SMART Grants provide a maximum of $4,000 annually. Students must be eligible for Pell Grants in order to receive a SMART Grant. These grants are designed to encourage students to obtain degrees in high demand fields. The SMART Grant uses the same form as other federal aid, so the application process is simple.

Social Security Number
Driver's License (if you have one)
Most recent W-2 forms
Most recent federal tax return (and your spouse's if you're married)
Most recent federal tax return from your parents (if you are a dependent student)
Most recent untaxed income records
Current bank statements
Current investment information

Instructions

- 1
  Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This form will determine your eligibility for the SMART Grant as well as other federal aid. The application consists of a series of financial questions. You will also have to answer questions about your educational plans.
- 2
  Major in one of the required fields. In order to be eligible for a SMART Grant, you must be majoring in science, math, engineering, technology, certain foreign languages (those deemed critical to national security), or a qualifying liberal arts program.
- 3
  Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Your grade point average affects your eligibility for a SMART Grant, so make sure you have at least a 3.0 at the end of your sophomore year. This is the number that the government checks to determine eligibility.

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