Financial Aid

FAQs about the Academic Competitiveness Grant

  1. What is the Academic Competitiveness Grant?

    This is a new grant established by the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA). The grant awards additional grant funds to student who have completed a rigorous academic program of study in high school.

  2. Who is eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)?

    Students must meet the following criteria:

    • be a U.S. citizen
    • be a Pell grant recipient
    • be enrolled full time in a degree program
    • be enrolled in the first or second year of a degree program
    • have completed a rigorous secondary school program (for first year students, the date of completion must be on or after 1/1/06, for second year students, the date of completion must be on or after 1/05)
    • if a first year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program
    • if a second year student, have at least a 3.0 GPA for the first academic year.

  3. How do I apply?

    Students must complete the FAFSA to qualify for Pell grant funds. The Department of Education will notify students of their potential eligibility either through email or regular mail.

  4. How do I know if I completed a rigorous program of study in high school?

    The Department of Education will provide a website address that students can use to check for their high school. That address will be contained in the email or letter informing the student of potential eligibility for the ACG.

  5. How much is the ACG award for the first and second years of study?

    First year students will receive $750 and second year students will receive $1300. The ACG amount received by students is subject to change dependant upon the number of students who ultimately qualify for and are awarded the grant.

Grants are awarded through the following process:

  1. The Department of Education informs student of potential eligibility for the Academic Competitiveness Grant by email
  2. Student checks Department of Education website to determine if the student’s high school curriculum meets the definition of “rigorous”
  3. Department of Education informs the colleges the student listed on FAFSA of the student’s potential eligibility for grant
  4. College requests the appropriate documentation
  5. College awards grant to eligible students