Academic Competitiveness Grant and National SMART Grant General Session Overview David Bergeron Jeff Baker Kay Jacks

Academic Competitiveness Grant and National SMART

Grant

General Session Overview

David BergeronJeff BakerKay Jacks

The Higher Education Reconciliation

Act of 2005 (HERA)

National Science and Mathematics

Access to Retain Talent Grant

(National SMART Grant)

Academic Competitiveness Grant

(ACG)

Other Sessions

• Session # 5 - ACG and National SMART Grant

– Student Eligibility and Academic Year Issues


– Transfer Student, Secondary School Program of Academic Rigor, and Academic Major Issues.


– Reporting from CPS to COD.

• General Session - Federal Update (Friday)

Authorization and Funding

• Funding for these programs is not subject to the

annual appropriations process:

– 2006-07 -- $790 million

– 2007-08 -- $850 million

– 2008-09 -- $920 million

– 2009-10 -- $960 million

– 2010-11 -- $1.01 billion

Rules and Regulations

• Interim Final Regulations for the 2006-2007 award year published on July 3, 2006

– Invitation to comment through August 17, 2006 for possible changes for the 2007-2008 award year

– Received 80 comments

• Final Regulations for the 2007-2008 award year published on November 1, 2006

– Institutions may implement changes made in the final regulation for the 2006-2007 award year


• One Significant Change:

– July 3 interim final rule required student to have received a Pell Grant in the same payment period (e.g., term) to receive an ACG or National SMART Grant

– November 1 final rule requires student to have received a Pell Grant sometime in the same award year to receive an ACG or National SMART Grant


• Tentative Calendar

– Sessions: December 2006, February and

March 2007

– NPRM: May 2007

– Comments: July 2007

– Final Rule: November 1, 2007

– Effective Date: July 1, 2008 with possible

early implementation

Negotiated Rulemaking for the 2008-2009 Award Year and Beyond

Institutional Responsibilities

• Institutions are responsible for implementing the

new programs within the guidance provided

• The Secretary recognizes that institutions will face

significant challenges in implementing the

programs with virtually no lead time for the 2006-

2007 award year

• These facts will be considered during reviews of

an institution’s implementation of the programs

Basic Program Requirements

Programs Are Similar in Some Ways

Student EligibilityU.S. Citizen Only – Eligible Non-Citizens Do Not Qualify

Pell Grant Recipient During Same Award Year

Full-time Enrollment for Payment Period

Enrolled in Degree Program

Progression by Student Academic Year

Only One Scheduled Award for Each Academic Year

Separate and Distinct Programs

ACG National SMART1st & 2nd academic years of a two or four-year degree program

3rd & 4th academic years of a four-year degree program

Requires completion of rigorous secondary school program of study

Requires student to be in a designated major

1st Academic Year - $ 7502nd Academic Year - $1,300

3rd Academic Year - $4,0004th Academic Year - $4,000

GPA of at least 3.0 as of the end of 1st academic year only

GPA of at least 3.0 at each disbursement

Duration of Student Eligibility

• For ACG, students are restricted to:

– one grant for the student’s first academic year and

– one grant for the student’s second academic year

• For National SMART Grant, students are restricted to:

– one grant for each of the student’s third and fourth academic years

Academic Competitiveness

Grant

(ACG)

ACG Eligibility Requirements • 1st-year students

– Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study after January 1, 2006

– May not have been previously enrolled while in high school as a regular student in an ACG eligible program

• 2nd-year students

– Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study after January 1, 2005

– Have a 3.0 or higher GPA at the end of 1st year

Previous Enrollment Restriction for 1st- Year ACG

While in High School

• Not eligible if enrolled as

a “regular student” in an

ACG eligible program

• May be eligible if not

enrolled as a “regular

student” in an ACG

eligible program

After High School

• No previous enrollment

restriction for a student

enrolled after high

school

1. State-Designated Program

– State-submitted program

– An advanced or honors program established by a state and in existence for the 2004-2005 or 2005-2006 school year

– State Scholars Initiative (SSI) Programs

ACG: Options for Rigorous Program

– States were given the option of retaining, modifying or adding rigorous programs of study by submitting those for review by November 1, 2006 for high school seniors graduating in 2007 for 2007-08

• Several states – Kentucky, Minnesota, & South Carolina -- submitted programs that will be approved

• Most states made no changes

• A few states have made minor changes to previously approved plans

ACG: Options for Rigorous Program

2. A set of courses as outlined in the final regulations

3. Completion of at least two Advanced Placement (AP) courses with passing test score of 3 or two International Baccalaureate (IB) courses with passing test score of 4

ACG: Documenting Rigorous Program

ACG: Options for Rigorous ProgramSet of Courses

• 4 years of English

• 3 years of math

– Two of which must be algebra I and above.

• 3 years of science

– Two of which must be biology, chemistry, or physics

• 3 years of social studies

• 1 year of a language other than English


• Institutions are responsible for determining the

eligibility of students who self-identified on at

least the standard(s) selected by the student

• Institutions are encouraged to identify all eligible

students based on records they have (e.g., high

school transcripts, test scores)

• Institutions are also responsible for determining

eligibility if student informs the institution directly


• Documentation from cognizant authority

– For home-schooled students, the parent or guardian is the cognizant authority

– For transfer students, an institution may rely on another school’s determination that the student completed a rigorous program

• NSLDS will store the data

ACG: Grade Point Average

• For second academic year, student must have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 from the first academic year

– GPA determined one time, after completion of first academic year

• For a student who transfers after completing first academic year, the new institution must calculate GPA using the grades from all coursework accepted from prior schools

National Science and

Mathematics Access to

Retain Talent Grant

(National SMART Grant)

National SMART GrantMajor Fields of Study

• Computer Science

• Engineering

• Technology

• Life Sciences

• Mathematics

• Physical Sciences

• Designated Critical

Foreign Languages

Identified by CIP* code in DCLs GEN-06-06 andGEN-06-15*Classification of Instructional Program

National SMART Grant Major Fields of Study

• Requires that a recipient:

– Declare an eligible major; or

– Show intent to declare eligible major if school

policy does not yet allow a major to be declared

• Institution must have a process for monitoring that

the student is making progress toward completion

of the program with that eligible major

National SMART Grant Grade Point Average

• For each payment period, a student must have a

cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least

3.0 that:

– Includes all coursework required for degree in

approved major

– Is calculated through last completed payment

period

– Is reviewed prior to each disbursement

Other General

Requirements

Both ProgramsGrade Point Average (GPA) & Incompletes

• All coursework taken in the payment period must be used in the calculation of a student’s GPA

• If a complete GPA for the payment period is not available, school can make an interim disbursement at its risk. Includes:

– When the GPA has not yet been officially calculated for the payment period

– When there is one or more grades of “incomplete” for courses taken in the payment period

Both ProgramsNeed-Based Grants

• Total of ACG/National SMART Grant, EFC, Pell,

and all estimated financial aid cannot exceed cost

of attendance

– ACG and National SMART Grant may not

replace EFC in need equation

– To avoid an over-award, an institution may

reduce other aid, including FSEOG, or it may

reduce the ACG or National SMART Grant

Both Programs Determining Enrollment Status

• Schools must have the same policy for determining enrollment status for Pell Grants and for ACGs and National SMART Grants

• Schools must use same recalculation policy, such as recalculation date (census date) that is used for Pell Grants

Both ProgramsDisbursements

• Funds maintained and disbursed according to Title IV cash management rules

• Disbursements made on payment period basis

• If disbursement is for a cross-over payment period, Pell Grant and ACG/National SMART Grant must be assigned to same award year

• Student may not receive ACG or National SMART Grant concurrently from more than one school

• All R2T4 requirements apply to the new grant programs

Both ProgramsRemaining Eligibility

• Determination of remaining eligibility based on percent of scheduled award remaining

– Example: Student with second year ACG for two quarters for a total of $866 has received 66.7% of the 2006-07 scheduled award of $1,300. Student is only eligible, as a second-year student, for the remaining 33.3% of the ACG scheduled award ($434 of $1,300)

• Note: Scheduled award may be different if balance of an academic year is in a new award year

Both ProgramsAcademic Year

• Student’s progress and duration of eligibility in an eligible program is measured in Title IV academic years. A Title IV academic year is defined in the HEA to be:

– A minimum of either:

• Twenty-four semester credit hours, or

• Thirty-six quarter credit hours, or

• 900 clock hours.

--AND--

• A minimum of 30 weeks of instructional time (26 weeks for clock-hour programs)

Both ProgramsAcademic Year - Credit Hours

• An institution’s Title IV Academic Year will often be different from the grade level progression used for most institutional purposes and for loan limits for FFEL and Direct Loans (e.g., 30 credit hours to progress from grade level 1 to grade level 2)

• Regardless of how many credit hours an institution uses to define a program’s academic year, full time for an undergraduate is a minimum of:

– 12 semester hour credits for a semester or trimester;

--or--

– 12 quarter hour credits for a quarter

Both ProgramsAcademic Year - Credit Hours

• 24 Credit Hour Definition –

– First Academic Year is 0 to 24 credits

– Second Academic Year is 25 to 48 credits

– Third Academic Year is 49 to 72 credits

– Fourth Academic Year is 73 to 96 credits

• 30 Credit Hour Definition

– First Academic Year is 0 to 30 credits

– Second Academic Year is 31 to 60 credits

– Third Academic Year is 61 to 90 credits

– Fourth Academic Year is 91 to 120 credits

ACGAssociate’s Degree Second Academic Year• For the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Award Years

– For a student enrolled in an associate’s degree program, the second academic year ends when the student has completed the credits required for completion of that academic program, as published in the institution’s official academic publications

– For example, for an AA program that requires 65 credits, the second academic year is from 31 credits to 65 credits

• See DCL GEN-06-18

National SMART GrantBachelor’s Degree Fourth Academic Year

• For the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 award years

– For a student enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program, the fourth academic year ends when the student has completed the credits required for completion of that academic program, as published in the institution’s official academic publications

• For example, for an BA/BS program that requires 130 credits, the fourth academic year is from 91 credits to 130 credits


• Determine the actual number of weeks of instructional time that were included for the student to complete the number of credit hours in the institution’s Title IV academic year definition

• Assume that there were 30 weeks of instructional time for each increment of credit hours that comprises the institution’s Title IV academic year definition

- OR -

Both ProgramsAcademic Year – Weeks of Instructional Time

For the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 award years, an institution with a 30-week academic year and standard terms ( Formula 1) may:

Both ProgramsAcademic Year – Weeks of Instructional Time

• May exercise option

– On a student by student basis;

– For same student for different terms;

– For transfer credits differently than for home-earned credits

• NOTE: An institution must determine the actual number of weeks of instructional time for a student who requests that such a determination be made or questions whether they have completed an academic year


Business Processes


• Documentation from cognizant authority

– For home-schooled students, the parent or guardian is the cognizant authority

– For transfer students, an institution may rely on another school’s determination that the student completed a rigorous program

• NSLDS will store the data

ACG Applicant Self-Identification Process

• Starting July 1, 2006, the Department began notifying potentially eligible students about the ACG program

• Changed the FOTW to ask questions about high school and rigorous programs

• Offered a “call-in option” for non-electronic filers

ACGApplicant Self-Identification Process

• After July 1, 2006

– FOTW Filers: Potential ACG recipients

will submit the additional information at

the time they complete their FAFSA

– Paper Filers: Potential ACG recipients

will receive a SAR comment directing

them to the web site and toll-free number


• Student presented with questions on their high

school curriculum

– High school completed after January 1, 2005

– State where high school curriculum completed

• Drop-down box with state designated

programs

– AP/IB course and test completion question

– Listed courses question


• As of November 10, 2006, 681,986 students have

self- identified themselves

– Clearly some students do not meet minimum

criteria

– Institutions can use other data such as age to

“screen” applicants….no follow-up necessary

– See Electronic Announcement dated

October 24, 2006

ACGRecognized State Rigorous Programs

Quick Reference to the Recognized State Rigorous Secondary School

Programs of Study

http://www.ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/

attachments/0713HERAOperGuidanceAttachA.xls


• Results of student self-identification will be sent to all schools listed on student’s record

– CPS will send ISIRs with new comment codes

• If no other changes, message class will be IGAA07AP

– Special “flat file” with separate message class of ED2007OP

– Student-specific information available using FAA Access


• Comment codes will be provided on SAR

for student and ISIR for schools

• Comment codes can be found in ISIR

positions 1677 to 1736

• Multiple comment codes - one for each

rigorous criterion selected by student


• For 2007-2008 Award Year, a criterion will

be added that approximates the date of high

school graduation

• For 2008-2009:

– Likely, add graduation from high school

question to the paper form

– Same for FOTW

Availability of Funds

• Initial authorizations in GAPS and COD with Electronic Statements of Account (ESOA) on July 29, 2006

– Not like campus-based

• No institutional allocation

– Allocation more like Pell

• Funds have been available in GAPS since early August

– Separate authorization for each program

Status of Funds

• As of November 17, 2006

– 762 schools out of 3,351 schools have

drawn $45 million for ACG

– 484 schools out of 1,944 schools have

drawn $41 million for National SMART

Grant

Data Suggest

• Schools are using their own money

• Institutions have not made awards

– Burden too great, given time frame

– Uncertainty

– Are not aware they must make awards

– Think they can wait until next year

– Students do not qualify

• Risk is we leave a large portion of $790 million designated for needy students on the table

Reporting of Awards and Payments

• Schools report student-specific awards and

disbursements with COD Release 5.2,

beginning December 16, 2006

• COD can handle one grade level for Direct

Loans and a different academic year for

new grants

NSLDS and ACG/SMART

• NSLDS will begin:

– Receiving ACG/SMART Grants from COD on December 17, 2006

– Displaying ACG/SMART Grants on the web site on December 18, 2006

– Using a new file format for Transfer Student Monitoring/Financial Aid History on January 1, 2007

NSLDS and ACG/SMART

• No ACG/SMART Grant award data will appear on

2006-2007 ISIRs

• Beginning on January 1, 2007:

– 2007-08 ACG/SMART Grant disbursement

data will appear on 2007-08 ISIRs

– ISIR Financial Aid History will display up to

three ACG and three SMART Grant

disbursements

Upcoming HERA Training

• Stand Up Training

– More than 50 sites across country

– Began late September

– Will also offer a Spring series

Other Sessions

• Session # 5 - ACG and National SMART Grant –

Student Eligibility and Academic Year Issues


Transfer Student, Secondary School Program of

Academic Rigor, and Academic Major Issues


Reporting from CPS to COD


Words to Live By

Aristotle –

"To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, for what purpose and how, is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter. Hence it is that such excellence is rare, praiseworthy and noble."

Baker –

“If it was easy, anyone could do

it.”

Other Sessions


Student Eligibility and Academic Year Issues


Transfer Student, Secondary School Program of

Academic Rigor, and Academic Major Issues


Reporting from CPS to COD


Documents

Academic Competitiveness Grant and National SMART Grant General Session Overview David Bergeron Jeff Baker Kay Jacks