Federal Pell Grants: Awards are available to undergraduate financial aid applicants who will not have received a baccalaureate degree by July 1, 2008 and Teaching Credential students with an Expected Family Contribution of $4,110 or less. To maintain maximum eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant, students are required to be enrolled in at least 12 units each quarter. Part time awards are prorated for less than full time enrollment according to the following schedule:

3/4 time = 9 to 11.5 units
1/2 time = 6 to 8.5 units
Less than 1/2 time = 1 to 5.5 units

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG ): SEOG is a need-based grant funded by the federal government, ranging from $100 to $4,000 per academic year. Recipients must be enrolled at least half time. SEOG is awarded to qualified undergraduate students with no prior baccalaureate degrees who have exceptional financial need. First priority is given to students with the lowest expected family contributions.

California Student Aid Commission Awards: These renewable awards are offered by the State of California to residents of California who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. CSAC determines eligibility for grants, which are based on academic achievement and financial need. Students must meet GPA requirements and family income and asset requirements. All eligible students are expected to apply for Cal Grants by submitting the FAFSA and GPA Verification Form. Renewal awards are based on continued financial eligibility and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Students may log into the Student Aid Commission's website to view their Cal Grant award eligibility and/or to report any changes.

 

UCR Grant: UCR Grants are awarded to eligible undergraduate students from funding provided by the Regents of the University of California and the State of California. Recipients must be enrolled at least half time. Award amounts are determined based on family income and financial need. Students who exceed 16 quarters of attendance or the equivalent will lose eligibility for UCR Grant.

Academic Competitiveness (ACG) Grant: ACG Grants are available to Federal Pell Grant recipients who are U.S. citizens, in their first or second academic year, who have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (UC admits should qualify). First year students may not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program. Second year students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Award maximums are $750 for the first year of study and $1,300 for the second year of study. Annual award amounts may be reduced by the U.S. Department of Education if sufficient funds are not available for all eligible students in an award year.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant: SMART Grants are available to Federal Pell Grant recipients who are U.S. citizens, in their third or fourth academic year, who are enrolled full time, majoring in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language as determined by the Department of Education (likely to include Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Farsi, Urdu, and Chinese), who have a a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in their major. Award maximums are $4,000 for each of the third and fourth year of study. Annual award amounts may be reduced by the U.S. Department of Education if sufficient funds are not available for all eligible students in an award year.

Additional Eligibility rules for receipt of ACG and SMART Grants

The ACG Grant or SMART Grant amount, in combination with the student's Federal Pell Grant assistance and remaining financial aid, may not exceed the cost of attendance. ACG Grant and SMART Grant awards will be used to reduce self help from loans or Federal Work-Study first. If the total gift aid (grants and scholarships) that a student receives exceeds the student's financial need, the ACG or SMART Grant must be reduced.

Based on federal regulations, ACG and SMART Grant awards must be adjusted if a student fails to maintain full-time status. Awards will be cancelled for any term in which a recipient enrolls for less than 12 units.

Students may only receive one ACG or SMART Grant award (i.e., three quarters of disbursement) at each grade level. A student may not receive a lower level award once he or she has received payment for a higher level award. Normal grade level progression will be calculated as follows:

0 to 44.5 units = Grade level 1 for ACG Grant 1 eligibility
45 to 89.5 units = Grade level 2 for ACG Grant 2 eligibility
90 to 134.5 units = Grade level 3 for SMART Grant 1 eligibility
135 to 180 units = Grade level 4 for SMART Grant 2 eligibility

Federal regulations require inclusion of transfer units in determining a student's grade level for determination of award level eligibility.

If a recipient's class level changes, the student must meet the eligibility requirements for the next year's award level. For example, if a student advances from freshman to sophomore status upon earning 45 units, the student must meet the 3.0 second year GPA requirement to receive an ACG Grant 2 award. ACG Grant awards will also be cancelled once the recipient advances to junior status (i.e., completion of 90 units).

Once a student has received three quarters of SMART Grant 2 disbursement (i.e., senior level award), no additional SMART Grant funds may be received, even if the student has not yet completed his or her requirements for graduation.