Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The National Smart Grant
Most folks are aware that there is a variety of federal student aid programs out there, including grants which are available to students going on to college or returning to college. Some grants are more difficult to qualify for than others. One example of a student aid program that is available is the National SMART Grant (SMART stands for Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent). A grant is different from a student loan as financial aid since it does not need to be repaid by the recipient.
This grant is available to students who are entering the third and fourth years of undergraduate study (or fifth year of a five-year program); this SMART Grant program is available to those third and fourth year students who are attending school at least half time; and this SMART Grant program is available to those students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
In addition, the student must be majoring in:
one of the physical sciences, or
one of the life sciences, or
one of the computer sciences, or
a mathematics degree, or
a degree in technology, or
one of the critical foreign languages, or
a non major single liberal arts programs.
What Does This Grant Do For A Student?
A National SMART Grant will provide the eligible student up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of their undergraduate study. Complete detailed and additional financial aid information can be easily found for free at Course Advisor.
What Does A Student Need To Demonstrate To Qualify:
In addition to the course requirements quoted above, SMART Grant program eligible students must:
be a United States citizen or be an eligible non citizen;
be eligible for a Pell Grant during the same award year;
be enrolled at least half time in school;
be in the third or fourth year of their undergraduate degree program (or in the fifth year of a five year program);
achieve and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale as of the end of the second award year;
continue to maintain a 3.0 GPA that must be verified prior to the beginning of each payment period (e.g., semester).
For a more complete directory listing of all grants available and other financial aid resource list which are available to students, visit Course Advisor which provides free information about college degree programs as well as student financial aid programs.
About the Author:
Nathan Randall, editor, DailyDollar Newsletter provides free daily advice on money matters plus coupons and discount codes. FYI…you can now access the DailyDollar Newsletter via iTunes podcast, YouTube video, and on Facebook and Twitter too.
