$4000 SMART Grant from the Federal Government

As a single mother attending school, you probably already know about the very popular Pell Grant which is made possible by the federal government, but have you heard of the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant? It’s designed for high GPA (3.0 average) students who study math, science, or certain foreign languages. If this sounds like you, you can apply for on this website or read on to find out more about how it works.

About the SMART Grant

The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant or SMART Grant for short is a federal grant worth up to a whopping $4,000. The grant money can be used for the last two years of undergrad study. The amount of grant money you will be approved for, if any, is based on several factors which we will discuss below. While there is not a fixed number of grants given out (due to varying amounts granted), there is a set amount allotted by Congress each year for this particular grant program. Therefore, the number of applicants and the number of recipients are not always the same, and while you may meet all of the requirements for receiving the grant, if the money runs out, then you will not receive anything. One condition of the SMART Grant is that when combined with Pell Grant money (also a government grant), the amount may not exceed the total cost of attending school. This includes all tuition, books, and fees, as well as room and board.

How to apply for the SMART Grant

To apply for the SMART Grant, all you need to do is fill out and submit a FAFSA by your specific school’s financial aid cutoff date. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be submitted one of three ways.

• Your first option is to go here and apply online, this is the best and most efficient option.
• Your second option is to head over to this website and download the application form in a PDF version (please note that this application must be mailed in).
• The third and final option for completing your FAFSA is by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID or 334-523-2691 to request a paper version of the form.

The great thing about the FAFSA is that by filling it out, you will automatically be applying for all federal grant programs. When your award letter for financial aid arrives, if you have won a SMART Grant, it will be included there. A few things to note, to be eligible for this grant, you must meet all of the qualifications listed here:

• You must be either a junior or senior in college
• You must be seeking a major in one of the following: Life, computer or physical sciences, technology, mathematics, or engineering. An alternative option is a foreign language deemed to be critical to our national security
• You must be a full-time student, or at least enrolled full-time.
• You must take a minimum of one course that is required to attain your major. This must be completed during the semester you are awarded the SMART Grant.
• Lastly, you must currently possess and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA during the time period that the SMART Grant is awarded.

About the SMART Grant Program

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant is a need-based grant program that was created 2005. It is a federally funded grant program that has the ability to double a student’s federal grant money effectively. This grant can be received in addition to the Pell Grant (although the total amount for the two cannot exceed the total expenses for the period) and is made available to any junior or senior college student that meets the qualifications and also shows a financial need beyond what the Pell Grant money offers.

If you are a single mother that qualifies for this grant, it can give you the financial boost you need to pay for school without taking money out-of-pocket. Further, applying for the FAFSA is a good idea for anyone attending school to find out what kind of aid you can get. Be sure to ask your school when the FAFSA deadline is and make sure to get your application in before that time.

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