Great Financial Aid Advice For College Students!!!

After filling out the preliminary FAFSA application form, I looked over the financial history for my college tuition. I looked around trying to estimate what I'd have to pay for the final year of my undergraduate education.

For sophomore and junior year, I received a thousand of dollars from what was called the ACG and SMART grants. I had no idea what got me the grants when I first saw it pop up on the account.When I checked out the FAFSA website this year, I realized why I received those lovely grants.

Since freshmen year, I've never fell below a 3.0 GPA with a Biochemistry major so I got both grants. How great is that!? Sadly though, I am changing my major to Health Science this year so I probably won't be eligible for the SMART grant next year (oh no! I want the $4000!!!). Anyway, it helped junior year at least.

So prospective college students may want to follow my steps (confirm with the university's financial aid office and advisors):

1. First pick a major that qualifies for the SMART grant such as biology, computer science, or math.
   
2. Take the courses that will fulfill your intended major (such as English or music) for the first 3 years.
   
3. DO NOT FALL BELOW A 3.0 GPA!
   
4. During the second semester of junior year, change your major to the intended major.
5. Check with advisors to make sure that these changes allow you to complete the education that you intended to receive. I wouldn't want to be stuck taking biology courses if I actually wanted an education in music.

I hope this information will save some families several thousand dollars!

Here is the info for the two grants (click here for the direct link):

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is for first-year undergraduate students (eligible to receive up to $750) and second-year undergraduate students (eligible to receive up to $1,300). The ACG eligibility criteria are listed below:

To be eligible for an ACG, you must:

• 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 your 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);
• Not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program (if you are a first-year student); and
• Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year (if you are a second-year student).

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) is for third- and fourth-year undergraduate students who are eligible to receive up to $ 4,000 each year.

To be eligible for a National SMART Grant you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be Federal Pell Grant eligible;
• Be enrolled full-time pursuing a major in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language; and
• Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale