Information on this page is also available in a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) format.  Click on the ACG FAQ to view or print the document in PDF format.

Federal Academic Competitive Grant

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2006 (HERA) created a new federal grant program for students who are attending degree-granting institutions and who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. The U.S. Congress has funded these grant programs to award eligible students beginning July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2011. 

This program is the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG).  Starting with 2006-2007 academic year, the ACG is available for first-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. This grant is in addition to the student's Federal Pell Grant.

To receive the ACG in a student’s first or second-year, a student must meet the following conditions:*

• Enrolled at least half-time
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Federal Pell Grant eligible during the same award year
• Completion of a rigorous secondary program of study recognized by the U.S. Department of Education which can be accessed at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-smart/state-programs.html.  
• Be a first or second year undergraduate student or a student in a certificate program of at least one year in a degree program at a 2 or 4 year degree granting institution
• If a first-year student, have completed secondary school after 1/2006 and have not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program
• If a second-year student, have completed secondary school after 1/2005 and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first academic year

A student can apply for the ACG grant by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Upon receipt of your FAFSA each year, Providence College will verify with the U.S. Department of Education whether or not you meet all of the eligibility requirements. If eligible, the Office of Financial Aid at Providence College will add the grant to your Financial Aid Notice.

The ACG will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study for students who enroll fulltime.  Award amounts will be prorated accordingly for students who enroll less than fulltime.

The amount of the student's ACG, in combination with the student's Federal Pell Grant, other resources, and estimated financial assistance, may not exceed the student's financial need (cost of attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution [EFC] equals financial need). A student may not receive more than one ACG award in each academic year for which the student is eligible.

All annual award amounts for an academic year may be reduced by the Department of Education if sufficient funds are not available to all eligible students nationally in an award year.

For more information on these federal programs, please visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.  On the left hand side of the page click on Federal Student Aid Programs, then Grants.

*Conditions listed above are effective 7/1/2009.