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ACG Grants Page

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a federally funded grant program, new for 2006-07 that qualified students may receive for no more than two years.  The maximum 1st year ACG is $750 per academic year ($375 per semester at CSUF).  The maximum 2nd year ACG is $1,300 per academic year ($650 per semester).

Qualifications for the ACG

To qualify, the student must meet all of the following conditions—

  • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient

  • Be enrolled at least half-time (6 units)

  • Be a U. S. citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen

  • Be a first or second year undergraduate student (freshman or sophomore – see clarification that follows)

  • Have completed an approved “rigorous high school program of study.”  At California State University of Fresno, if the student graduated from a high school in California and met the CSU minimum standards for admission, then he or she has completed an approved program of study.  All other students, including graduates of high schools in other states, must meet one of the other sets of requirements which are described in detail at the   U.S. Department of Education web site.

  • Meet standard eligibility criteria for all Federal Title IV financial aid, such as not being in default on a student loan, having financial need, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

To Qualify for the first year ACG


To qualify for the first year Academic Competitiveness Grant , the student –

  • must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and

  • may not have previously enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.

To Qualify for the second Year ACG


To qualify for the second year Academic Competitiveness Grant , the student –

  • must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2005,

  • must be a sophomore (i.e., earned no fewer than 30 units and no more than 59 units toward their undergraduate degree objective), and

  • must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 or greater by the end of their freshman year.

Applying for the ACG

Students apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (refer to How to Apply for Financial Aid)


Determining Student's Eligibility for the ACG

The U. S. Department of Education (USDE) uses the information collected on the FAFSA to identify potentially eligible students and notifies the university.  The California State University of Fresno Office of Admissions will confirm that the student completed a rigorous high school program. 

  • Students do not need to contact the Office of Admissions. 

  • Confirmation of eligibility will be performed automatically.

The Financial Aid office will utilize information provided by the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of Admissions to determine if a student aid applicant meets the requirements for either a 1st Year ACG or 2nd Year ACG. 


Awarding of ACG

ACG-eligible students who have already received their financial aid for the fall will have their aid packages adjusted to reflect their eligibility for this new federal grant. 
The law states that the ACG, in combination with the student’s Expected Family Contribution, financial aid, an other resources, cannot exceed the student’s Cost Of Attendance. Therefore, in some cases, the ACG will replace other financial aid, especially student and parent loan eligibility. Students will be notified of the new award and any adjustment to other aid by e-mail.
For additional information about the Academic Competitiveness Grant, go to
the U.S. Department of Education web site.