The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

The National SMART Grant program is available to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences; mathematics; technology; engineering; or a critical foreign language. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. Awards are up to $4,000 for third and fourth years of undergraduate studies. Students enrolled in an eligible five-year program may receive an award for a fifth year.

The new changes are effective after January 1, 2009, but the U.S. Department of Education may first need to finalize regulations to implement these changes.

Eligibility Requirements for National SMART Grants:

• Be a U.S. citizen (or, after 1/1/09, an eligible noncitizen)
• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
• Be enrolled full-time in a degree program (prorated awards for less than full-time enrollment available after 1/1/09)
• Be enrolled in a four-year degree-granting institution
• Major in physical, life or computer science; engineering; mathematics; technology; or a critical foreign language; and
• Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
• Students in five-year degree programs may now be eligible for a fifth year of SMART Grant assistance

NOTE: A student is eligible to receive a National SMART Grant only if the student enrolls in the courses necessary to complete the degree program and to fulfill the requirements of the intended eligible major.  A student must be enrolled in at least one course each payment period that meets the specific requirements of the student's National SMART Grant-eligible major. Click here for a list of eligible fields of study.

The amount of the SMART Grant, when combined with a Pell Grant, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance. In addition, if the number of eligible students is large enough that payment of the full grant amounts would exceed the program appropriation in any fiscal year, then the amount of the grant to each eligible student may be ratably reduced.

Application and Notification
National SMART Grant students should check with the financial aid office at their college to confirm eligibility. 

For more information about all federal student financial aid programs (including loans as well as grants), check out the website at www.studentaid.ed.gov and click on ?Federal Student Aid Programs? in the left toolbar.