Grants for Full-Time Students

Federal Pell Grant Program

• The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based aid to qualified students. These grants are accepted at 5,400 postsecondary schools around the country. Pell Grant amounts are determined by the student's expected family contribution (EFC) based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Other determining factors include the student's school status (full-time or part-time), whether the student is attending a full academic year or less and the school's cost of attendance.

  Students cannot accept Pell Grant funds from more than one school at the same time. Students are also ineligible for this grant if they have already received a bachelor's degree unless they are enrolled in a postbaccalaureate program for teaching.

  U.S. Department of Education
  400 Maryland Avenue SW
  Washington, D.C. 20202
  1-800-872-5327
  ed.gov

Academic Competitiveness Grant

• Students can also apply for the "Academic Competiveness Grant." These grants are awarded to first and second-year college students. First year students who haven't previously attended an ACG-eligible institution can receive up to $750 per year. Second year students who maintained a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) for their first year can receive up to $1,300. Students must be a Pell Grant recipient who is enrolled for at least half a semester in a degree program. ACG amounts can be reduced if the combined total of this grant and the federal Pell Grant exceeds the student's cost of attendance.

  U.S. Department of Education
  400 Maryland Avenue SW
  Washington, D.C. 20202
  1-800-872-5327
  ed.gov

National S.M.A.R.T. Grant

• Third and fourth year students as well as fifth year students enrolled in a five-year program can apply for The "National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant" or the National SMART Grant. Students can receive up to $4,000 per year. Students must be a Pell Grant recipient, be enrolled for at least half the academic year and are majoring in fields such as physics, math, technology, engineering, computer science or a foreign language. They can also attend non major liberal arts programs.

  Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in their course work for their major. This amount is combined with the Federal Pell Grant, however the SMART grant will be reduced if the total amount is more than the student's cost of attendance.

  U.S. Department of Education
  400 Maryland Avenue SW
  Washington, D.C. 20202
  1-800-872-5327
  ed.gov