The Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)
Printer friendly version: ACG & SMART Information Guide
The ACG became available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school year for first-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. This grant is in addition to the student's Federal Pell Grant.
How do I qualify?
To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:
- Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (new guideline as of 7/2009).
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program (new guideline as of 7/2009).
- Be enrolled in the first or second year of his program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution.
- Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006 if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student).
- Be a first-year student and not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program.
- Be a second-year student with a least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.
What is considered a rigorous secondary school program?
The eligibility options for a student graduating from secondary school in New York during the 2005 or 2006 calendar years 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.
How do I apply?
Most potential recipients will be notified by the U.S. Department of Education and will be given a web site link that will help them determine whether they have completed a “qualifying rigorous secondary school program.” If a student is not notified by the Department of Education but thinks he may be eligible, he should contact the financial aid office to determine his eligibility.
How much can I qualify for?
An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) of up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study.
When will I receive my award?
After receiving notification from the Department of Education of your potential eligibility, the college will verify your eligibility by checking your high school transcripts to determine your qualification to receive the award. Thereafter, the Office of Financial Aid will contact you with the final decision.
