Academic Competitiveness (ACG) Grant was established by The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005. The purpose of this grant is to help
Federal Pell Grant eligible students pay for their education. For the first time the grant was available during the 2006-2007 academic year.
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Apply Now For Academic Competitiveness (ACG) Grants |
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The idea behind this grant is to encourage students to take challenging high school courses and to pursue challenging college majors.
ACG Grant is awarded in addition to the Federal Pell Grant award. $790 million has been set aside during the 2006-2007 school year to fund this program and $4.5 billion dollars over the next five years. |
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You apply for this grant by submitting your FAFSA Application. Given this is a federal grant designed for students with
exceptional financial need the outcome of the application will be based on your financial data in the application.
The maximum one can be awarded is - year one: $750
The maximum one can be awarded is - year one: $1,300
The amount of the ACG program, when combined with a Federal Pell Grant, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance.
ACG program is awarded for those who received Federal Pell Grant only. Academic Competitiveness Grants are available to students for
their first and second academic years of college. National SMART Grants are like sister grants available to students for their third and fourth academic years of college.
Must Be a Federal Pell Grant Recipient
Be a U.S. Citizen Or Eligible Non-Citizen
Must Be Enrolled At Least Half-Time In a Degree Program
Have Completed a Rigorous Secondary School Program Of Study
Must Be a First Or Second-Year Undergraduate Student
For qualifying for an ACG, any one of the following programs meet the rigorous secondary school program of study requirements.
Not all students receiving Federal Pell Grant are eligible for this grant.
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Important Questions |
Q: How will I know if I am getting an ACG award?
You will be notified by email or by postal delivery if you are eligible. You will receive information about the amount of the award and you will be told if any other financial aid changes will be made
by your school as a result of this award.
Q: When does the new grant start?
Eligibility begins July 1, 2006 and is applied to the 2006-2007 school year for first-year undergraduate students who graduated from high school after 1/1/06 and second-year undergraduate students who
graduated from high school after 1/1/05.
Q: How do you apply for a Academic Competitiveness Grant?
Please visit FAFSA Page to complete the financial aid form that is needed by universities and colleges to determine your financial
aid eligibility.
Q: What if I do not have a Federal Student Aid PIN?
You must use your Federal Student Aid PIN to complete your FAFSA Application. If you do not have a PIN, you may request one from the
Federal Student Aid PIN Web Site.
Q: What is the maximum amount I can receive from Academic Competitiveness Grant?
An Academic Competitiveness Grant provides $750 for the first year of study and $1,300 for the second year. Note: The amount of the ACG, when combined with a
Federal Pell Grant, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance.
Q: Do Academic Competitiveness Grants have to be repaid?
No. They do not have to be repaid.
View All Questions
The federal government provides this grant for students with talent who like to pursue challenging college majors. The Academic Competitiveness Grant is awarded as a supplement to the
Federal Pell Grant. You apply for it using your standard
FAFSA Application and the award works for the first and second year of college.
The sister grant is National SMART Grant.
We advise our financial aid candidates to use our tools below and see how much college is going to cost, how to plan or save for college, how to find financial aid, and calculate
loan amounts.
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