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

The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created a new grant program for students who are at degree-granting institutions and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Congress has funded this grant which is available to eligible students beginning July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2011.

The National SMART Grant is offered during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to students who are also eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.  This grant will be awarded in addition to the student's Federal Pell Grant award.

To receive the National SMART Grant each academic year, a student must:*

• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Be a Federal Pell Grant eligible during the same award year
• Be enrolled at least half-time
• Be enrolled in the third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program (or fifth year of a five year program)
• Major in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology or a critical foreign language or a non-major single liberal arts program
• Have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in the coursework each semester
• Must be enrolled in at least one course that meets the specific requirements of your major in each payment period

A student can apply for the National SMART 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 annual Financial Aid Award Notification.

A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study.  Award amounts will be prorated accordingly for students who enroll less than fulltime.

The amount of the student's National SMART Grant, 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 equals financial need). A student may not receive more than one National SMART Grant 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 this federal program, please visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.  On the left hand side of the page click on Federal Student Aid Programs, then Grants.

For a list of all National SMART Grant majors, please visit www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0809.html.

*Conditions above are effective 7/1/2009