<p>This is a new grant from the Federal goverment. Below is from the FAFSA website ~ </p>
<p>My question is: I will be a second year college student for the 2007-2008 school year. I am listed as a Junior on my student records as of my fall semester of my freshman year. I qualify for the Academic Competitiveness Grant, but was wondering would I be considered as a second year undergraduate student? </p>
<p>The law also created a new student aid grant program called the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG). Congress has provided funding and the grants are available for the 2007-2008 award year. First-year undergraduate students will be eligible to receive up to $750. Second-year undergraduate students will be eligible to receive up to $1,300. The ACG eligibility criteria are listed below: </p>
<p>To be eligible for an ACG each academic year, a student must: </p>
<p>Be a U.S. citizen;
Be Federal Pell Grant eligible;
Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;
Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his or her 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);
If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program; and
If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.</p>
<p>Will the college pick that up? SMART Grant? Or would they consider me a second year student? I marked second year student on my FAFSA. I am pretty sure that all colleges scrutinize the FAFSA and all student records before a financial aid package is put together...I just want to make sure. </p>
<p>I do not know if I received anything yet from the Academic Competitiveness Grant. I do not think it is automatic, is it? This is the first year that I am eligible for it and really do not know how it works.</p>
<p>I believe it is based on units, not counting AP units. ACG should be relatively automatic along with the Pell & others like that, but since it is new (this was the first year) you would want to follow up iwth finaid. You would NOT want to be a junior if you plan to attend your school for more than 2 years, if you are only going to be there 2 years, then you would want to make a case ofr being a junior.</p>
<p>Just talked to financial aid ~ They were also a little confused but checked it out...</p>
<p>I am in my freshman year, second semester of college ~ I have 64 credit hours after my first semester. With this total, I am considered a Junior in College. I can not be considered for the Academic Competitiveness Grant, but will be considered for the SMART Grant. </p>
<p>I guess those AP Test Scores, College Courses through the PA Dual Enrollment Program and Upward Bound have paid off! Lots of hard work...</p>