2007
Oct 29: The Department of Education has released final regulations for the ACG and SMART Grant programs.
May 1: The Department of Education has announced award amounts and approved majors for the ACG and SMART Grants for the 2007-2008 award year.
March 13: The Department of Education is holding a webinar for school counselors and TRIO counselors regarding the ACG and SMART grants on March 29. Visit the Department online for instructions on how to register.
Jan 31: The Department of Education has announced new rulemaking sessions on ACG and SMART Grants. The first of three sessions will take place in the DC area February 5-7, 2007. Visit the Federal Register online for more information.
2006
Dec 12: The GAO (General Accountability Office) has released a slideshow "America's Fiscal Future: Implications for Higher Education and Global Competitveness," presented last week at the Council of Graduate Schools' annual meeting.
Dec 6: Poll results from Solutions for our Future indicate a significant disconnect between policymakers and the public on the link between improved science and math education and improved global competitveness.
Nov 2: The Department of Education has released final rules for ACG and SMART Grants, as well as federal student aid programs.
Oct 23: The Department of Education has clarified some regulations regarding the administration of SMART and Academic Competitiveness Grants, dealing with the definition of "academic year." The change addresses one issue brought up in joint comments submitted by NACAC and AACRAO.
Aug 24: Read NACAC's joint comments with AACRAO on proposed regulations for the new SMART Grants and Academic Competitiveness Grants. See the August 9 entry below for instructions on how to submit your own comments to the Department of Education.
Aug 23: The Department of Education released corrections to final regulations today for a number of student financial aid programs, including campus-based aid and Academic Competitveness Grants.
Aug 9: The Department of Education has released draft regulations for the implementation of SMART Grants and Academic Competitiveness Grants for the coming school year, and is seeking public comment. Send your comments to HERAComments@ed.gov by September 8, 2006. NACAC is collaborating with the higher education community to develop joint comments, and will also submit separate comments focusing on NACAC issues. Our main concerns are to minimize institutional burden and to make sure all students eligible for SMART or ACG grants will receive them.
June 30: The Department of Education announced yesterday the availability of SMART Grants and Academic Competiveness Grants, starting July 1. View the Department's online training session for more information on grant eligibility and application.
June 5: The Department of Education has developed online training for the implementation of SMART grants and Academic Competitiveness Grants. Visit the Department online to register and for more information.
May 18: The National Governors' Association (NGA) sent a letter to Secretary Spellings yesterday, urging that students enrolled in dual enrollment programs be eligible for the Department's new Academic Competitiveness grants. Current regulations specify that such students are not eligible.
May 10: The Department of Education has a web site designed especially for counselors to help them navigate the federal financial aid system. The web site now includes information on SMART grants and Academic Competitive Grants.
May 3: The Department has issued its guidelines on the recently-passed SMART Grants, which will offer bonus Pell Grants to students that complete rigorous curriculum in high school, or pursue strategic areas of study. Visit the Department online to read about their definitions of rigorous curriculum.
March 21: The National Governor's Association (NGA) sent a letter to Secretary Spellings in support of the SMART Grant supplement to the Pell Grant.