"SMART Grant"
Additional Information for Students
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth "Title Four Academic Years" of undergraduate study to
- full-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant; and
- who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.
- The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major.
The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. For additional information on eligibility requirements, go to
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/SmartGrants.jsp?tab=funding .
Additional Information for Students Participating in the Program
Please remember that:
- You MUST maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to retain you eligibility to participate in this program. This standard is part of the legislation that established the program and is not subject to appeal. We must check your cumulative GPA at the end of each semester.
- You MUST continue to major in an “eligible program”. See http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/CompleteListEligibleMajors0708SMART.pdf for the current list of eligible majors
- You MUST take at least one course “specific to and required for a National SMART Grant-eligible major” each semester. The Department of Education sent us a letter on October 9, 2007 outlining this requirement. This letter is posted at http://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0707.html . At this point, our understanding that we will be required to check your schedules each semester and make sure that you are enrolled in at least one science and or math course that is appropriate for your major. If you are NOT ENROLLED in at least one science and/or math course appropriate to your major, we will be legally required to cancel your grant for the semester.
- This grant was added “on top” of your normal Loyola need-based aid award. Please be aware that if you forfeit your eligibility to participate in this program, you will not be eligible for any additional institutional grants to offset the loss of these federal funds.