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Federal Grants

Grants are awarded to students with financial need (need-based aid). Most grants are renewable for multiple years, but students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to qualify. The following are examples of grants funded by the federal government:

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
These grants are are available to Pell-eligible students who have successfully completed recognized rigorous high school programs. An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant of up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • U.S. citizen
  • Federal Pell Grant recipient
  • Enrolled full-time in the first or second year of an undergraduate degree program at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution
  • 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)
  • First-year students cannot have been previously admitted to an ACG-eligible undergraduate program while in high school
  • Second-year students also must have cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first academic year
  • Must not be in default on a federal student loan
To determine if you qualify for the ACG, go to:
www.studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/NewPrograms.jsp or contact your college or university financial aid office.

How to apply:
Complete and submit a FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.

National SMART Grant
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (National SMART Grants) are available to students who pursue college majors that are in high demand such as math, science, technology, engineering, and foreign languages critical to the national security of the United States. An eligible student may receive a National SMART Grant of up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • U.S. citizen
  • Federal Pell Grant recipient
  • Enrolled full-time in the third or fourth year of an eligible undergraduate degree program
  • Major in physical, life, or computer sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics or a critical foreign language [see a list of eligible majors]
  • Have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the end of each term
  • Must not be in default on a federal student loan
If you have questions about eligibility for National SMART Grants, please contact your college or university financial aid office.

How to apply:
Complete and submit a FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.

Pell Grant
These grants are based on financial need as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and may be used at any college or university. The maximum grant is $4,310. The average Pell Grant award given to Iowa students last year was $2,239.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Other limited categories of noncitizens may be eligible
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Undergraduate student who has not earned a bachelor’s degree*
  • Must not be in default on a federal student loan
*Certain eligible post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs may be eligible for Pell Grants.

How to apply:
Complete and submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 each year.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are based on financial need as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and may be used at any college or university. Students with exceptional financial need who are eligible for Pell Grants are given priority. Eligible recipients may receive between $100 and $4,000 per year depending on when the apply, financial need, the funding at the college or university, and the policies at college or university financial aid offices.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Other limited categories of non-citizens may be eligible
  • Must not be in default on a federal student loan
  • Demonstrate fi nancial need and be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
  • Undergraduate student who has not earned a bachelor’s degree
How to apply:
Complete and submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 each year.