Grants

Grants are financial aid awards that do not require repayment. George Mason University participates in several need-based federal and state-funded grant programs. Failure to maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours (full-time enrollment) each semester may result in cancellation or reduction of all grants. Following is a list of the grant programs which are available at George Mason

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is an award for undergraduates with no prior bachelor's or professional degree. Eligibility is primarily based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), but is also affected by your enrollment status. The maximum allowable award for the 2007-2008 academic year is $4310, with a minimum of $400 awarded to students with Pell Grant eligibility who are enrolled full-time. A minimum of 12 credit hours each semester is required to receive full eligibility, with pro-rated awards going to students with less than 12 hours.

FSEOG (Federal Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grant)

FSEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional need, i.e. the students with the lowest EFC who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients. Generally, a minimum enrollment of six credit hours per semester is required to receive the limited FSEOG funds. Students who have received a prior bachelors degree are NOT eligible for FSEOG.

CSAP (Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program)

CSAP is a state-funded grant which provides assistance to needy undergraduate Virginia residents. A minimum enrollment of six credit hours is required each semester in order to be considered for CSAP. Students who have completed a bachelors degree are NOT eligible to receive CSAP.

Virginia Commonwealth Award (formerly known as Virginia Undergraduate Scholarship)

The Virginia Commonwealth Award is a state-funded grant that provides assistance to undergraduate Virginia residents. A minimum enrollment of six credit hours is required each semester in order to receive VA Commonwealth Award, with preferential consideration going to students who are enrolled full-time. Students who have completed a bachelors degree are NOT eligible to receive a Virginia Commonwealth Award.

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)

This is a state-sponsored grant program for which very specific eligibility criteria have been established. To be eligible for the VGAP award at Mason, a student must:

• Be admitted for enrollment in an undergraduate degree program at a Mason
• Be a full-time student (i.e. 12 credits or more per semester at Mason)
• Be a domiciliary resident of Virginia
• Demonstrate significant financial need as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Must have filed a FAFSA with the federal processor by Mason's March 1st priority filing date to receive priority consideration for the VGAP award
• Graduated from a Virginia high school (excludes GED and home schooling students)
• Have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent at the time of admission or according to final academic transcript
• Be classified as a dependent student for federal financial aid purposes
• Be classified as a first-time freshman or have participated in VGAP during the prior academic year

VGAP award amounts are generally equal to tuition, fees, and some allowance for books. (Note: Students who receive the VGAP award may not also receive the Virginia Commonwealth Award.) Students who have completed a bachelor's degree are NOT eligible to receive a VGAP Award.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant was made available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school year for first year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

How Much Can A Student Receive?

An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

Additional information on Academic Competitiveness Grant

1. Eligible Students

   An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (AC Grant) of up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:

   • Be a U.S. citizen
   • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
   • Be enrolled full-time in a degree program
   • Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his or her program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution
   • Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student)
   • If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program
   • If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year

   Note that the amount of the AC Grant, when combined with a Pell Grant, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance. In addition, if the number of eligible students is large enough that payment of the full grant amounts would exceed the program appropriation in any fiscal year, then the amount of the grant to each eligible student may be ratably reduced.

2. Recognized rigorous secondary school programs of study for Academic Competitiveness Grant program in 2007-08

   Click here for more information on recognized rigorous secondary school programs of study for the Academic Competitiveness Grant program.

   In order to provide options to students, the following three programs will be recognized as evidence of rigor in a secondary school program of study.

   • The State Scholars Initiative requirements. Students who participate in and complete the State Scholars program will be eligible. This program, currently offered in fourteen States and patterned after the recommendations of the National Commission on Excellence in Education, requires at least four years of English, three years of math (including Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry), three years of basic lab science (biology, chemistry, physics), three-and-one-half years of social studies, and two years of the same foreign language other than English.
   • A required set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative. This program of study includes 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 one year each of at least two of the following courses: biology, chemistry or physics, three years of social studies, and one year of a language other than English. The program of study must be completed with passing grades.
   • Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses and test scores. This program requires a minimum of two Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school and a minimum passing score on the exams for those classes. Students must score 3 or higher on AP exams and 4 or higher on IB exams.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

How Much Can A Student Receive?

A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.

Additional Information for the National SMART Grant

1. Eligible Students

   An eligible student may receive a National SMART Grant of up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:

   • Be a U.S. citizen
   • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
   • Be enrolled full-time in a degree program
   • Be enrolled in a four-year degree-granting institution
   • Major in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language and
   • Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (as set forth in regulations to be promulgated soon).

   Important eligibility note: As clarified in recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, in addition to the general eligibility criteria listed above, students receiving SMART grants must also be enrolled in at least one course specifically required for their major in the term for which the SMART grant disbursement is to be made. As an example, a student enrolled only in general education requirements in a particular term would not be eligible for the SMART grant in that term. To ensure compliance with this regulatory guidance, the Office of the Registrar will conduct a degree audit on SMART grant recipients prior to each term's disbursement to ensure that students are enrolled in at least one major-required course. Disbursement of the SMART grant funds may be slightly delayed because of this additional step.

   Note that the amount of the SMART Grant, when combined with a Pell Grant, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance. In addition, if the number of eligible students is large enough that payment of the full grant amounts would exceed the program appropriation in any fiscal year, then the amount of the grant to each eligible student may be ratably reduced.

2. Eligible Fields of Study

   Click here for a list of eligible fields of study.