An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program of study as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. The program will be available for the first time for the 2006-07 school year 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. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

2008-2009 ACG Validation Form not available until after June 30, 2008.

Students must have form validated after date of graduation from high school.

INITIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

If you can answer YES to all of the following questions, you may potentially be eligible to receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant.

1. Are you a U.S. citizen?

2. Did you graduate from high school after January 1, 2005?

3. Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?

4. Will you be enrolled as a full-time first or second year student in a two-year or four-year degree program OR a transfer program that will lead towards a four-year degree?

HOW TO APPLY:

If you believe you may be eligible for the ACG, please complete the ACG Verification Form and submit it to your high school.  The high school will complete the form and return it to our office.  We will review your verification form to determine if you are eligible for the ACG.  If you are, we will award you accordingly and your new Financial Aid Award letter will indicate the amount and disbursement information.

RIGOROUS HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDY REQUIREMENT FOR ACG

Completing an eligible rigorous high school program of study is one of the requirements for the ACG.  The high school must validate whether the student meets one of the following options for eligibility for a student from California (out of state high schools may find their approved rigorous course of study requirements at the following URL:  http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-smart/state-programs06.html): 

• The California Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
• A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative.  This program of study requires passing grades in the following:
  • Four years of English;
  • Three years of Math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, Geometry, or Data Analysis and Statistics);
  • Three years of science (including at least two courses from biology, chemistry or physics);
  • Three years of social studies; and
  • One year of a foreign language. 
• Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores.  This program requires a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those classes.  Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher on IB exams. 
• California A-G Requirements.  This program is available to students who complete the normal course requirements for the A-G requirements for admission to the UC or CSU, or complete a modified version of the A-G requirements for admission to the UC and CSU, in which a year-long, career technical education course that meets or exceeds the rigorous academic content standards approved by the State Board of Education may substitute for one of the courses that counts toward completion of the “G” requirement.

A.   History/Social Science:  2 years required.  Two years of history/social science selected from world history, cultures and geography; U.S. history; or, a combination of U.S. History, American government/civics, and economics equal to one year; and

B.   English:  4 years required.  Four years of college-preparatory English that includes frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.  No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement; and

C.   Mathematics:  3 years required.  Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.  Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill par or all of this requirement; and

D.   Laboratory Science:  2 years required.  Two years of laboratory science chosen from biology, chemistry, physics, or physical science.  Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement.  Two years of an approved integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement; and

E.   Language other than English:  2 years required.  Two years of the same language other than English.  Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture; and

F.   Visual and Performing Arts:  1 year required.  A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline:  dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.  Courses used to fulfill this requirement must satisfy the five State standards for artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and connections, relations and application; and

G.   College Preparatory Electives:  1 year required.  One year, in addition to those required in “A-F” above, chosen from the following areas:  visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the “E” requirement or two years of another language).