Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

Effective with the Fall 2006 semester, the U.S. Department of Education enacted a new grant program entitled the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG). This grant is available for students in their first and second years of college that completed a rigorous secondary school program of study.

At Western Kentucky University, a first year student is defined as someone that graduated high school after 1/1/06 and has not been previously enrolled in a program of undergraduate education (other than that obtained as a dually enrolled high school student). A second year student is defined as someone that graduated high school after 1/1/05 and has earned at least 24 credit hours. The definition of first year and second year students for purposes of this grant differ than that of grade level progression for the purpose of awarding Federal Stafford loans.

In addition to meeting the classification definition above, a student must meet the following criteria to be considered for the ACG:

• Pell Grant eligible
• Full-time student
• US citizen
• Pursuing an Associates or Bachelors Degree
• 3.0 cumulative GPA after their first year of undergraduate study (for second year students)

Furthermore, to qualify for the ACG, a student must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study. Any one of the rigorous program definitions listed below would qualify a student as eligible for the ACG:

• Completion of State Scholars Program

• Completion of coursework as follows:

• 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
• One year of a foreign language
• Score of 3 or higher on two Advanced Placement courses or a score of 4 or higher on two International Baccalaureate courses
• Completion of a Commonwealth Diploma in the State of Kentucky

Students meeting all of the eligibility criteria listed above and at least one of the rigorous program definitions, should self-certify their eligibility for this program on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID. Once this has been done, Western Kentucky University will receive notification that the self-certification has been completed. The student will then receive a request from the Department of Student Financial Assistance requesting specific documentation to validate the rigorous program of study. Once the review of the documents has been completed, the student will be notified by the Department of Student Financial Assistance regarding the final determination of eligibility for this grant.

For those students that are eligible, the award amounts are as follows:

• First year students $750 per academic year
• Second year students $1300 per academic year

In the event that the addition of this grant causes an over-award, a reduction of other aid may be necessary in accordance with Federal and State regulations. Any such changes would be reflected on the student’s TopNet account. In addition, students are eligible for only one first year award and only one second year award per Federal regulations.