National SMART Grant

Approved Fields Of Study For The National Smart Grant

In our last article about SMART grants we gave an overview of National SMART grants, eligibility criteria for the National SMART grant, how much money is usually awarded and how the disbursement of the grant money takes place. One of the eligibility criteria for being considered for a SMART grant is that the student applicant must be in an approved field of study. SMART grants are only for those students currently in their third or fourth year of undergraduate studies in programs considered to be important to national security, important enough to warrant grants like the SMART grant to encourage students to graduate and help the United States maintain it’s dominance in the respective science and technology related fields.

Let us now take a look at the eligible majors for the current year (2010 – 2011) Do note that the SMART grant will not be available going forward. 2010 academic year is the last year that students can apply for a SMART grant.

The following are the majors and the associated CIP code

  • Computer Science (CIP Code: 11.xxxx)

    All programs that deal with computer engineering, software, hardware, information systems and robotics are eligible for SMART grant.

  • Engineering (CIP Code: 14.xxxx)

    All programs and fields of study such as chemical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, aeronautical engineering, civil engineering and electrical engineering.

  • Foreign Language (CIP Code: 16.xxxx)

    All programs that focus on the study of foreign literature, linguistics, interpretation and translation of foreign languages are approved for SMART grants.

  • Life Sciences (CIP Code: 26.xxxx, 01.xxxx)

    All programs and fields of study that deal with biochemistry, microbiology, biology, behavioral biology, physiology, biophysics, botony, ecology and zoology

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP Code: 24.xxxx)

    To qualify under a liberal arts and Sciences program the education institution must have submitted a request to the Department of Education and must be approved. For the year 2010, the following are the only liberal studies that are approved by the department of education for SMART grants

    • 24.0101 – Liberal Arts and Science program at St. Johns College in Annapolis and Santa Fe as well as Thomas Aquinas College.

  • Mathematics (CIP Code: 27.xxxx)

    All programs that study relationships between forms, figures and symbolic quantities as well as operations research, applied math and statistics

  • Natural Resources and Conservation (CIP Code: 03.xxxx)

    All programs that study natural resources and conservation of natural resources.

  • Physical Sciences (CIP Code: 40.xxxx)

    All programs that study earth science, ocean science, planetary science, atmospheric science, astronomy and physics qualify for SMART grants.

  • Psychology (CIP Code: 42.xxxx)

    Programs and fields of study that focus on individual and group behavior as well as the study of emotional and neurological activity qualify for SMART grants.

  • Technology (CIP Code: 41.xxxx, 29.xxxx, 15.xxxx)

    All programs and fields of study that deal with or focus on the application of scientific and mechanical knowledge such as applied science.

  • Multidisciplinary Studies (30.xxxx)

    Quite a few multidisciplinary studies are also eligible for SMART grants.

It is important to note that simply being classified under the 2 digit CIP code is not enough. Your current undergraduate major must be classified by the college under the approved 6 digit CIP code.

References

National SMART Grant

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant are provided to qualifying undergraduate students who are in their third or fourth year of post secondary education majoring in qualifying undergraduate programs and who are in need of financial assistance. The rational behind this grant is to help and encourage students graduate in areas that are recognized as important to national security.

History of National SMART Grant

The National SMART Grant award was proposed by Senator Bill Frist, former chief resident of cardiac transplant surgery at Standford and Faculty member at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The SMART grant was established as part of the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005, the aim was to ensure that America maintained it’s competitive advantage over developing countries like India and China when it came to leadership and advances in technology and sciences.

Between 2005 and 2010 it is estimated that close to 600,000 students have benefited from the National SMART award program.

What are the eligibility criteria for National SMART Grant?

To be eligible for National SMART grant award, a potential student applicant must meet the following criteria

  • The student must be in his or her third or fourth year of undergraduate study. (fifth year in a five year undergraduate program)
  • The student must be majoring in an approved program of study. Get the complete list of eligible majors for SMART grant here. A sample listing of approved programs are below
    • Computer Science
    • Engineering
    • Foreign language
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Mathematics
    • Technology
    • Life Sciences
  • The student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible permanent resident.
  • The student must have become eligible for the Pell Grant during the same award year.
  • The student must be enrolled at least half time, majoring in any of the fields of studies mentioned above.
  • The student must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the end of the second award year and continue to maintain a 3.0 GPA that must be verified before the beginning of each semester.

How do you apply for the National SMART grant?

As with all federal aid, your application for a SMART grant begins with filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Eligible students will be identified by the Colleges themselves based on their GPA, major and eligibility for a Pell Grant. There is no separate application that a student must file for being considered for the SMART grant. The college will notify all potentially eligible students regarding their eligibility and award for a SMART grant.

How much money is awarded as SMART grant?

A student typically is awarded funds ranging from $750 – $4000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. The amount awarded as part of SMART grant and Pell grant combined together cannot exceed the cost of attendance. In case the number of eligible students for SMART Grants are more than the amount allocated then the amount awarded to each eligible student is correspondingly reduced.

During the fiscal year 2010 a sum of $1,336,000,000 was awarded to the eligible students. The average amount awarded to each student came to about $2560.

How is SMART Grant funding disbursed?

if you are awarded the SMART grant, the money from the grant will be applied to any outstanding tuition, room and boarding, supplies and other institutional fees. If you have funds left over, the balance will be mailed to you or deposited into your bank account.

References