Office of Student Aid : Aid Programs : Grants : Federal Pell Grant : National SMART Grant

The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to students who meet the following criteria. This grant is in addition to the Federal Pell Grant and is designed to encourage students to pursue specific college majors.

Eligibility Requirements

A recipient must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
• Be enrolled and remain at a minimum of 12 credits per semester in a degree program at a four-year degree-granting institution. Dropping below 12 credits during a semester will result in complete loss of the SMART Grant for that semester.
• Enroll in specific majors such as science, mathematics, technology, engineering, and critical foreign languages.
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in course work required for his or her major.
• Enroll in at least one course each semester that meets the specific requirements of his or her National SMART Grant-eligible major. Course schedules will be reviewed before funds are disbursed to student accounts.
• Meet all other federal student financial aid eligibility requirements. Please review your rights and responsibilities.

Award Value

• $4,000 toward each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study.
  • Third-year eligibility is defined as a minimum of 60 to less than 90 credits attained.
  • Fourth-year eligibility is defined as a minimum of 90 to less than 120 credits attained.

Application

Students apply for the National SMART Grant by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Penn State's Office of Student Aid will determine eligibility and notify eligible students of their awards.