Governor Urges Students To Apply For College Grants

Gov. Janet Napolitano is urging qualified Pell Grant-eligible students to apply for new grants worth between $750 & $4,000 that will help make college more affordable. The new Academic Competitiveness (AC) grants & the National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grants provide $790 million in funding this fall & $4.5 billion over the next 5 years.

“My P-20 Council & the Arizona State Board of Education have begun work on modernizing the education system,” said Governor Napolitano. “These grants provide financial rewards for focusing on math, science & technology. I urge every student to look at the Web site & check their availability as soon as possible.”

These grants provide further incentive for students to take more challenging courses in high school & to pursue college majors in high demand areas, such as science, math, technology, engineering & critical foreign languages. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that approx., 500,000 students will qualify to receive these grants.

“Math, science, & critical foreign language skills are the new currency in our global economy. To ensure our nation’s economic competitiveness, we must 1st expect high academic performance from our students,” said U.S. Dept. of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. “The new Academic Competitiveness Grants & SMART Grants encourage students to take the courses & complete the degrees to help them compete. As of July 1st, students can visit www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov to view eligibility information & apply.”

The AC grants provide college students who completed a rigorous course of study in high school with additional funds of up to $750 during their freshman year & up to $1,300 during their sophomore year. This is in addition to Pell Grant funds students are already receiving. College juniors & seniors who are eligible for SMART grants automatically will receive up to $4,000 in additional aid next year.

To receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant, rising college freshmen & sophomores must be Pell Grant-eligible & have completed a program of rigorous high school course work as defined by their state & recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education. To receive a SMART Grant, 3rd- & 4th-year Pell Grant-eligible students must meet the requirements, major in designated science, technology, math or critical foreign languages & maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Students can receive more eligibility & application information for both of these grant programs online at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov or by calling 1-800-433-3243. For a fact sheet on the Academic Competitiveness & SMART Grants, click here.