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Smart Grants Page

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant is a federally funded grant program, new for 2006-07, that qualified students may receive for no more than two years.  The maximum SMART Grant is $4,000 per academic year ($2,000 per semester).

Qualifications for the National SMART Grant

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 third or fourth year undergraduate (junior or senior – see clarification that follows)

• Must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 or greater prior to the beginning of each semester

• Have declared and be enrolled in an eligible major (see link that follows)

• 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 third year SMART Grant:
The student must be a junior (i.e., earned no fewer than 60 units and no more than 89 units toward their undergraduate degree objective).
To qualify for the fourth year SMART Grant:
The student must be a senior, 90 units or more toward their undergraduate degree objective, in an eligible SMART Grent progam.

Eligible Majors for SMART Grant

List of Eligible Majors

How to Apply for the National SMART Grant

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

Determining Students' Eligibility for the SMART Grant

The university will identify students enrolled in eligible majors, confirm that the students meet all of the other eligibility criteria, and notify students of their awards. 

• The Financial Aid office will utilize information provided by the Office of the Registrar to determine if a student aid applicant meets the academic requirements for either a third year or fourth year SMART Grant.

• This will happen automatically.  Students do not need to take any action.

Awarding of SMART Grant

SMART Grant-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 SMART Grant, in combination with the student’s Expected Family Contribution, financial aid, and other resources, cannot exceed the student’s Cost of Attendance.  Therefore, in some cases, the SMART Grant 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 National SMART Grant, go to the U.S. Department of Education Web site.