Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants are awarded based upon the analysis of the FAFSA, cost-of-attendance, enrollment status (full time or part time), and completion of a rigorous secondary education program after January 1, 2005. ACGs are awarded only to undergraduate students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. Students who may be eligible for ACG will be asked to identify themselves as they complete the FAFSA.

The United States Department of Education uses a standardized formula, established by Congress and called the Federal Needs Analysis Methodology, to evaluate the information you report on the FAFSA. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. The EFC number can range from zero to 99,999 or higher. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) contains this number and will tell you if you are eligible for a Pell Grant. You may request a booklet called the EFC Formula Book, which describes how a student's EFC is calculated, by writing to:

Federal Student Aid Information Center
P.O. Box 84
Washington, DC 20044-0084

Eligible students attending for the first time will be awarded an annual amount of $750 ACG. Eligible students in their second year of attendance must have a minimum 3.00 grade point average at the opening of the year to qualify for the annual amount of $1,300.