The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created this grant program for students who are at degree-granting institutions, and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

Please note: The ACG Grant program is only funded through the 2010-2011 academic year. The grant will not be available for the 2011-12 year and beyond.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To receive the ACG each academic year, a student must:

• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient. 
• Be enrolled in a degree program. Beginning in July 1, 2009, Students enrolled in six (6) or more credits are eligible; award pro-rated based on enrollment.
• Be enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in a degree-granting program.
• Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study.
• If a sophomore, must have had at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale at the end of freshman year.

How much can a student receive?

• Freshman (0-23 earned credits*) = up to $750 per academic year at full time.
• Sophomore at full time (24-55 earned credits*) = up to $1,300 per academic year

*Earned Credits: Includes transfer credits, Advanced Placement (AP) program credits and International Baccalaureate (IB) program credits

The amount of the student's ACG, in combination with the student's Federal Pell Grant, other resources, and estimated financial assistance, may not exceed the student's financial need (cost of attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution [EFC] equals financial need). A student may not receive more than one ACG award in each academic year for which the student is eligible.

The amount of the student's ACG, in combination with the student's Federal Pell Grant, other resources, and estimated financial assistance, may not exceed the student's financial need (cost of attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution [EFC] equals financial need). A student may not receive more than one ACG award in each academic year for which the student is eligible.

How does a student apply for the ACG?

A student can apply for the ACG by completing and submitting the 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on the information provided on the FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will notify students of their potential eligibility via their Federal Student Aid Report (SAR), and notify the school.

The school will determine whether the student meets all of the eligibility criteria. The Financial Aid Services Office will award the grant to eligible students enrolled in 2010-11 academic year.