Question on SMART Grant

Paying for College
1

<p>Here is a question for you financial aid experts. My son is enrolled as a math major: education emphasis. He is currently receiving the SMART grant for the first time since he just attained junior status.</p>

<p>He tested out of some math classes early on and then doubled up on math courses the first couple years, so he only has four classes remaining for his major. I am aware you have to take one course per semester required for your SMART-eligible major in order to continue receiving the grant, however he is limited on which ones will be available fall semester that don't conflict with his mandatory education classes.</p>

<p>I am trying to figure out if any of his other required classes count toward the SMART. For example, he has to take a Math Methods teaching class which is offered in a different department... would that count? Also, all students must take a computer sci class for general ed (C-S 101), but math majors are required to take C-S 120 Software Design (which also fulfills the gen ed requirement.) Since C-S 120 is specifically required of his math major, does that count even if it also fulfills a gen ed?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>This is a new requirement, so the schools are probably still figuring it out- each year for my D I have had to point out to them why she was eligible for a smart or ACG in detail. I would certainly contend that any course required by the major to graduate ought to fulfill that requirement.</p>

<p>You might call and ask finaid how they are going to do it, but they honestly might not know yet. I think you are on the right track- for instance a bio majoy might have to take physics and chem and calc, too; therefore those are course required for the major, even if one of them fulfills a GE req.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your insight. I did hear back from the financial aid department at his university and the C-S Software Design class will count, so I guess we're covered. </p>

<p>I understand why the new requirements are in place, but it's frustrating to think he took Calc III and Calc IV concurrently in order to ensure graduating in four years, and because of it he almost lost out on the $2,000 SMART grant next semester. Sigh.... the ins and outs of it all! lol!!</p>