Acad Comp Grants

Academic Competitiveness Grants, available for the first time during the 2006-2007 school year, reward students who completed a rigorous educational program in high school. If you're eligible for an Academic Competitiveness Grant, the Federal government may cover a portion of your educational costs for the first two years of your education.

Academic Competitiveness Grants provide additional assistance to students who qualify for Federal Pell Grants. You may receive up to $750 during your first year of school. If you maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) throughout your first year, your award amount can increase up to $1,300 for your second year.

Important Grant Facts
The Academic Competitiveness Grant is open only to recent high school graduates, and first-year students must have graduated from high school on or after January 1, 2006. It is also possible to receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant if you passed at least two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) tests. Your Academic Competitiveness Grant, when combined with your Pell Grant award, cannot exceed your educational costs.

Plan ahead to take full advantage of Academic Competitiveness Grants. You must maintain full-time student status and a 3.0 GPA. If your status or GPA drops below the minimum requirements, you may lose your grant and be required to repay some of the grant you have already received.

To make the grant application process easier, some state education departments have awarded certificates of distinction to qualifying high schools. Your local school district's main office can confirm whether your high school meets the standards necessary to qualify you for an Academic Competitiveness Grant.

An Academic Competitiveness Grant can help close the gap between other financial aid and the total cost of completing your undergraduate degree. To apply for an Academic Competitiveness Grant, simply complete the FAFSA.