Federal Grant and Scholarship Programs

Federal Pell Grant

Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student aid. These grants are awarded based on a student's Expected Family Contribution, Cost of Attendance, and Enrollment Status, and generally do not need to be repaid. For the 2008-2009 year, Pell Grant amounts will range from $890 to $4,731. Award amounts are not affected by other aid sources.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

These grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, as determined by the Expected Family Contribution. Recipients of the Federal Pell Grant are given preference for FSEOG awards, which range from $100 to $4,000 per year. Funding for supplemental grants is limited and awards may be adjusted based on other aid received.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

Academic Competitiveness Grants provide funding for first or second year undergraduate students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen
Eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
Successfully Completed a Rigorous High School Program

The eligibility options for a student graduating from a secondary school in New York during the 2007 calendar year are:

The New York Regents Diploma with Honors or Advanced Designation
A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative. This program of study requires passing grades in the following:
- Four years of English;
- Three years of Math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, Geometry, or Data Analysis and Statistics);
- Three years of science (including at least two courses from biology, chemistry or physics);
- Three years of social studies; and
- One year of a foreign language.
Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores. This program requires a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those classes. Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher on IB exams.

The definition of rigorous high school program for other states and other graduation years can be found here.

First year students are eligible to receive up to $750. Second year students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 are eligible to receive up to $1,300.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)

SMART Grants provide up to $4,000 per year for third and fourth year undergraduate students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen
Eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
Full-time Enrollment in a Baccalaureate Degree Program
Cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in Major Coursework
Enrollment in an Eligible Major From the Following Categories:
Computer Science
Engineering
Critical Foreign Languages
Life Sciences
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Technology
Multidisciplinary Studies

A complete list of eligible majors is available here.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Higher Education Grant

The BIA provides Higher Education Grants through the Office of Indian Education Programs. Higher ED Grants are provided to supplement financial assistance to eligible American Indian/Alaska Native students entering college seeking a baccalaureate degree. The Higher Education Grant Program is not an entitlement program. Students do not automatically receive funding because they are American Indian/Alaska Native. Students must meet certain criteria in order to apply for a Higher ED Grant.

How to Apply for a Federal Grant

All students who have submitted a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be considered for Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, ACG, and SMART eligibility. There is no separate application required. Recipients will be notified of their grant amount in a Financial Aid Award Notification Letter.

Last updated on January 18, 2008