Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)


The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and National SMART Grant Programs were created in the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2006, which became effective July 1, 2006. The program awards need-based Academic Competitiveness Grants to first - and second-year undergraduates who completed a rigorous high school curriculum and National SMART Grants to third - and fourth - year undergraduates majoring in certain technical fields or foreign languages deemed vital to national security.

To be eligible, the student must:

  1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  2. You must qualify for a Pell grant.
  3. You must be an undergraduate student.
  4. You must have taken a “rigorous program” in high school and graduated after 1-1-06 for 1st year awards, or after 1-1-05 for 2nd year awards.
  5. 12 or more credit hours of enrollment required on the 7th day of class.
  6. You must have a 3.0 cumulative gpa at the end of your 1st academic year to be considered for the 2nd year award
  7. Funds are applied directly to your ISU account.