# Presentation: 431508

## Session 10

**Session 10**

- Requirements for Federal Grant Programs
- Sophia McArdle
- Carney McCullough
- Fred Sellers
- Office of Postsecondary Education

**Revised November 20, 2007**

## Legislation
Pell/ACG/NSG Payment Calculations
2006-2007 Negotiated Rulemaking
ACG and National SMART Grant Final Regulations
Academic Year Progression
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Prior Enrollment 
Successful Completion:  Rigorous Secondary Programs
Recognition of Rigorous Secondary Programs
Determination of Eligible Majors
Documenting Eligible Majors

- Pell/ACG/NSG Payment Calculations
- 2006-2007 Negotiated Rulemaking
- ACG and National SMART Grant Final Regulations
- Academic Year Progression
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Prior Enrollment
- Successful Completion:  Rigorous Secondary Programs
- Recognition of Rigorous Secondary Programs
- Determination of Eligible Majors
- Documenting Eligible Majors

**Agenda**

## First Year ImplementationOutcomes

## Nationally

- ACG:
- $233,038,410 awarded to 299,089 students
- National SMART Grants:
- $195,544,735 awarded to 60,976 students

## ACG:  Top Five Institutions 

- Pennsylvania State University (4,128)
- University of California – Davis (1,926)
- University of Texas – Austin (1,718)
- University of California – Los Angeles (1,686)
- Ohio State University (1,620)

## National SMART Grants:  Top Five Institutions

- Brigham Young University (1,584)
- University of Phoenix (1,326)
- University of California – San Diego (921)
- DeVry University (789)
- Pennsylvania State University (715)

## Top National SMART Grant Majors

- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Engineering
- Computer Science

## Top Foreign Language Majors

- Russian
- Japanese
- Chinese

## “Best Practices”

- Discuss the ACG and National SMART Grant Programs in State, local, and school-level outreach
- Reach out to all potential eligibles, not just students who self-identify
- Advocate for low-income students’ access to rigorous, college preparatory classes and pursuit of high-demand majors

## Legislation 

**Legislation**** **

## Legislation

- Reauthorization
- Senate passed July 24, 2007
- House
- College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA)
- Enacted September 27, 2007

- Makes no changes to the ACG and National SMART Grant Programs

**Legislation:  CCRAA – ACG and National SMART Grants**

- Eliminates Federal Pell Grant “tuition sensitivity” as of July 1, 2007

**Effective:  July 1, 2007**

**Legislation:  CCRAA – Pell**

## Uses mandatory funds to increase the Pell Scheduled Award by 
$   490 for 2008-09 and 2009-10
$   690 for 2010-11 and 2011-12
$ 1,090 for 2012-13
Increases applicable to students eligible based on the maximum award set in an appropriations act

- $   490 for 2008-09 and 2009-10
- $   690 for 2010-11 and 2011-12
- $ 1,090 for 2012-13
- Increases applicable to students eligible based on the maximum award set in an appropriations act

**Effective:  2008-2009 award year**

**Legislation:  CCRAA – Pell**

- For 2008-09, if appropriations act sets a $4,310 maximum award, the Scheduled Award would be:
- Maximum $4,800; and
- Minimum     $890.
- Mandatory funds do not increase the number of eligible students.

**Effective:  2008-2009 award year**

**Legislation:  CCRAA – Pell**

- Establishes Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
- Is effective starting in 2008-2009

**Legislation:  CCRAA – TEACH Grants**

**Effective:  2008-2009 award year**

- Provides $4,000 for each academic year
- Has aggregate maximums
- $16,000 for first baccalaureate student or postbaccalaureate, nondegree student
- $8,000 for graduate student

**Legislation:  CCRAA – TEACH Grants**

- Student eligibility if a current enrolled student:
- Is Title IV eligible;
- Has 3.25 GPA or statutory alternatives; _and_
- Is completing, or plans to complete, coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching

**Legislation:  CCRAA – TEACH Grants**

- Student eligibility if a current or prospective teacher, seeking a graduate degree:
- Is a teacher or retiree with expertise in a shortage area; _or__ _
- Is or was a teacher with high quality alternative certification, *e*.*g*., Teach for America

**Legislation:  CCRAA – TEACH Grants**

-  Sign agreement to serve:
- Must teach at Title I school
- Must teach in specified areas (mathematics, science, foreign language, bilingual education, special education, or high-need field approved by the Secretary)
- Treated as a Direct Unsub Stafford Loan if student does not teach

**Legislation:  CCRAA – TEACH Grants**

## Pell/ACG/NSG Payment Calculations

**Pell/ACG/NSG Payment Calculations**

## Payment Calculations

- Revisions in General Provisions final regulations package
- Payment period definition
- Programs eligible for Formula 1
- Payment calculations for Formulas 4 and, for Pell only, 5A
- Payment calculations the same for all three grant programs

## Payment Calculations

- Added educational programs eligible for Formula 1
- Is no change for traditional calendar programs currently eligible to use Formula 1, i.e., programs with
- two semesters or trimesters, or three quarters, in fall through spring, and
- at least 12 hours as full-time for all terms in award year

## Case Study:  Currently Eligible for Formula 1

- Traditional semester-based academic calendar where full-time is defined as at least 12 semester hours in all terms.
- Eligibility to use Formula 1 continues.

- Adds programs eligible for Formula 1 where—
- Any two semesters or trimesters, or three quarters is at least 30 weeks of i.t.;
- Program starts in cohorts of students, e.g., monthly;
- Program is offered exclusively in semesters, trimesters, or quarters; _and_
- Student not enrolled in overlapping terms

**Payment Calculations**

## Case Study:  Final Rules Eligible for Formula 1

**Case Study:  Final Rules Eligible for Formula 1**

- The program consists of semesters.  A new cohort of students start a new semester on the first workday of each month.

- Revised Formula 4 payment calculations (Formula 5A also)
- No change in programs that use Formula 4:
- Credit-hour programs without terms
- Clock-hour programs
- Lesser of two fractions based on the academic year measures

**Payment Calculations**

**Payment Calculations**

- _Formula 4__ _
- Scheduled Award  *  the lesser of—
-     _Hours in the payment period_
-     Hours in the academic year
-                     OR
-    *_weeks in the payment period_
-     *weeks in the academic year
- *Weeks of instructional time

## Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation

- Academic calendar:  28 quarter hours over 28 weeks of instructional time
- Academic year: 36 quarter hours and 30 weeks of instructional time

**28 quarter hours**
**28 weeks of instructional time**

**Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation**

## Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation

- Formula 4 to calculate grant program payment for a payment period
- Student:  Pell Scheduled Award of $4,000

**Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation**

## Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation

**Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation**

- Payment for each payment period

## Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation

**1****st**** Pell disbursement**

**2****nd****  Pell disbursement**

**Case Study 1:   Payment Calculation**

## Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation

- Academic calendar:  1200 clock hours over 30 weeks of instructional time
- Academic year:  900 clock hours and 26 weeks of instructional time

**Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation**

**1200 clock hours**
**30 weeks of instructional time**

## Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation

- Payment periods
- 450 clock hours and 13 weeks of instructional time;
- 450 clock hours and 13 weeks of instructional time; and
- 300 clock hours 4 weeks of instructional time

**Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation**

## Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation

- Formula 4 to calculate grant program payment for a payment period
- Student:  Pell Scheduled Award of $1,000

**Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation**

## Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation

**x**

**x**

**Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation**

- First and second payment periods

## Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation

**x**

**x**

**Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation**

- Third payment period

## Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation

- $1,000 for the first two payment periods
- $0 for the third payment period; or, if the third payment period is in a new award year, $153.85 (assuming same Scheduled Award).

**Case Study 2:   Payment Calculation**

## 2006-2007NegotiatedRulemaking

**2006-2007****Negotiated****Rulemaking**

**Negotiated Rulemaking**

- Federal Register notice - August 18, 2006
- 2008-2009 and subsequent years
- Regional hearings
- Negotiating committee on ACGs and National SMART Grants
- No consensus

- Issues
- Prior enrollment
- Rigorous secondary programs
- GPA requirements
- Eligible majors
- Academic year progression
- Mandatory participation
- Certificate programs

**Negotiated Rulemaking**

## NPRM: August 7, 2007
Comments: due September 6, 2007
52 commenters
Final regulations:  October 29, 2007
Effective July 1, 2008
Early implementation

- Comments: due September 6, 2007
- 52 commenters
- Final regulations:  October 29, 2007
- Effective July 1, 2008
- Early implementation

**Negotiated Rulemaking**

## ACG and National SMART Grant Final Regulations

**ACG and National SMART Grant Final Regulations**

## 

Academic Year Progression

**Academic Year Progression**

**Final Regulations**

## Current 
§691.6(a), (b), and (c)  
A student’s progression is based on the student’s attendance in all ACG and National SMART Grant eligible programs at all institutions.

**§****691.6(a), (b), and (c) **
- A student’s progression is based on the student’s attendance in all ACG and National SMART Grant eligible programs at all institutions.

**Final**
**§****691.6(a), (b), and (c) **
- A student’s progression is based on the student’s attendance in all ACG and National SMART Grant eligible programs _**only at the institution in which the student is currently enrolled**_.

**Academic Year Progression - Basics**
**Award Eligibility**

## Current 
§691.6(a), (b), and (c)  
A student may not receive more than two ACG Scheduled Awards and two National SMART Grant Scheduled Awards.

**§****691.6(a), (b), and (c) **
- A student may not receive more than two ACG Scheduled Awards and two National SMART Grant Scheduled Awards.

**Final**
**§****691.6(a), (b), and (c) **
- A student may not receive more than two ACG Scheduled Awards and two National SMART Grant Scheduled Awards _**during the student’s undergraduate education**_.

**Academic Year Progression - Basics**
**Award Eligibility**

## As with a student’s credit or clock hours, must determine a student’s progression in the weeks of instructional time of an academic year through an exact accounting of those weeks of instructional time
Are some exceptions
Is in line with current regulations, but are changes to the exceptions

- Are some exceptions
- Is in line with current regulations, but are changes to the exceptions

**Academic Year Progression - Basics    **
**Exact Accounting (Final ****§****691.6(e)(1))**

## The institution to which the student transferred must count both:
The credit or clock hours earned by the student at prior institutions that are accepted for the student’s ACG or National SMART Grant eligible program, and 
An estimated number of weeks of instructional time completed by the student. 
Current requirement is a “may” in lieu of an exact accounting.

- The credit or clock hours earned by the student at prior institutions that are accepted for the student’s ACG or National SMART Grant eligible program, and
- An estimated number of weeks of instructional time completed by the student.
- Current requirement is a “may” in lieu of an exact accounting.

**Academic Year Progression - Basics   **
**Transfer Students (Final ****§****691.6(d)(3))**

## To determine weeks of instructional time, must use specified formula:

  (hours accepted  *  weeks of i. t. in ac. yr)  
                   hours in ac. yr.

Subject to prohibition under §691.6(d)(2) for hours without weeks

**  **_**(hours accepted  *  weeks of i. t. in ac. yr)**_**  **
**                   ****hours in ac. yr.**
- Subject to prohibition under §691.6(d)(2) for hours without weeks

**Academic Year Progression - Basics   **
**Transfer Students (Final ****§****691.6(d)(3))**

## Three alternative methods for determining the weeks of instructional time that assure general compliance with the academic year progression requirements
Replacement of current §691.6(d) on treatment of summer terms
Also replacement to transitional guidance

- Replacement of current §691.6(d) on treatment of summer terms
- Also replacement to transitional guidance

**Alternative Methods**
**(Final ****§****691.6(e), ****(f), (g), and (h))**

## Only eligible programs that use Formula 1 or 2 to calculate payments (generally programs with traditional academic calendars)
Eligible programs that use Formulas 3 or 4: must always doing an exact accounting

- Eligible programs that use Formulas 3 or 4: must always doing an exact accounting

**Alternative Methods**
**(Final ****§****691.6(e), ****(f), (g), and (h))**

## Terms-attended:  count weeks of instructional time based on the number of terms the student has attended
Credits-earned:  attribute weeks of instructional time to the credit hours earned by the student
Grade-level:  use the student’s grade level as a basis for determining weeks of instructional time completed

- _Credits-earned_:  attribute weeks of instructional time to the credit hours earned by the student
- _Grade-level_:  use the student’s grade level as a basis for determining weeks of instructional time completed

**Alternative Methods**
**(Final ****§****691.6(e), ****(f), (g), and (h))**

## Is applicable to the credits-earned and grade-level alternatives
In determining weeks of instructional time, must exclude consideration of hours subject to proposed §691.6(d)(2)

- In determining weeks of instructional time, must exclude consideration of hours subject to proposed §691.6(d)(2)

**Alternative Methods**
**Exclusions (Final ****§****691.6****(g) and (h))**

## 
An alternative method of determining weeks of instructional time applies to all students enrolled in the eligible program.

- An alternative method of determining weeks of instructional time applies to all students enrolled in the eligible program.

**Alternative Methods**
**Applicability (Final ****§****691.6****(e)(2)(ii))**

## Upon a student’s request, an institution must provide an exact accounting of the student’s academic year progression in all eligible programs at that institution including any qualifying credit hours accepted on transfer in an ACG or National SMART Grant eligible program.
An institution may initiate an exact accounting for a student.

- An institution may initiate an exact accounting for a student.

**Alternative Methods**
**Exact Accounting**
**(Final ****§****691.6****(e)(2)(iii))**

## After an exact accounting, an institution may not use any of the alternative methods in §691.6(f), (g), and (h) for determining that student’s academic year standing.

**Alternative Methods**
**Exact Accounting (Final ****§****691.6****(e)(3))**

## No weeks of instructional time for hours in a student’s eligible program from:
Hours from AP and IB, testing out, life experience, or similar competency measures
Hours earned while not enrolled as a regular student in an ACG or National SMART Grant eligible program
Hours for coursework that is not at the postsecondary level, such as remedial coursework

- Hours from AP and IB, testing out, life experience, or similar competency measures
- Hours earned while not enrolled as a regular student in an ACG or National SMART Grant eligible program
- Hours for coursework that is not at the postsecondary level, such as remedial coursework

**Hours without Weeks **
**(Final ****§****691.6****(d)(2))**

## Prohibition on weeks of instructional time for credit or clock hours applies to:
Exact accounting;
Transfer credits; and
Credits-earned and grade-level alternatives.
While hours count towards the academic year progression, no weeks of instructional time are associated with these hours.

- Exact accounting;
- Transfer credits; and
- Credits-earned and grade-level alternatives.
- While hours count towards the academic year progression, no weeks of instructional time are associated with these hours.

**Hours without Weeks **
**(Final ****§****691.6****(d)(2))**

## An institution must assign weeks of instructional time to determine National SMART Grant eligibility for periods in which a student was enrolled in an ACG eligible program prior to declaring, or certifying his or her intent to declare, a National SMART Grant eligible major.

**Hours without Weeks **
**(Final ****§****691.6****(d)(2)(ii))**

## See Appendix A for a full-page view.

## 

Grade Point Average

**Grade Point Average**

**Final Regulations**

## Current 
§691.15(b)(1)(iii)(D) and (c)(3)
Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent

**§****691.15(b)(1)(iii)(D) and (c)(3)**
- Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent

**Final **
**§****691.15(b)(1)(iii)(D) and (c)(3)**
- Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, _**or numeric equivalent**_
- Does not mean institution can determine its own equivalency of a grading scale or simply use an equivalent measure

**GPA:  Numeric Equivalent **

## If using alternatives to standard numeric grading, institutions must develop and apply an academically defensible equivalency policy.
Equivalency policy must be:
In writing;
Available to students upon request; and 
Consistent with an institution’s other standards – academic and Title IV

- Equivalency policy must be:
- In writing;
- Available to students upon request; and
- Consistent with an institution’s other standards – academic and Title IV

**GPA:  Numeric Equivalent (Final**
**§****691.15(g))**** **

## The policy must include clear differentiations of student performance to support a determination of performance at a level commensurate with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

**GPA:  Numeric Equivalent (Final ****§****691.15(g))**** **

## Final §691.15(f)(1)(i) 
For a student who transfers hours of at least one academic year but less than two, institution to which the student transfers must calculate GPA using grades for courses accepted from any prior institution toward student’s ACG-eligible program.                                  

- For a student who _**transfers hours of at least one academic year but less than two**_, institution to which the student transfers must calculate GPA using grades for courses accepted from any prior institution toward student’s ACG-eligible program.

**Current §691.15(d)(1)**
- For student who                                                                                                             completed 1st academic year in ACG eligible program at prior institution(s), institution to which the student transfers must calculate GPA using grades for courses accepted from any prior institution toward student’s ACG-eligible program.

**GPA:  ACG – Transfers**

## Final §691.15(f)(1)(i)
For a student who transfers in hours comprising less than one academic year, the institution uses grades for all coursework accepted by the current institution into the eligible program and grades for coursework earned at the current institution.

- For a student _**who transfers in hours comprising less than one academic year**_, the institution uses grades for _**all coursework accepted by the current institution into the eligible program and grades for coursework earned at the current institution**_.

**Current §691.15(d)(1)**
- For a student who completes first academic year after transferring, institution uses its own policy on how transfer credits are counted to determine whether grades for transfer credits are included in GPA at school to which student transferred.

**GPA:  ACG - Transfers**

## Current §691.15(d)
For 1st payment period must use student’s grades for courses accepted into the student’s National SMART Grant eligible program
If no credits accepted, must consider student ineligible for 1st payment period

- For 1st payment period must use student’s grades for courses accepted into the student’s National SMART Grant eligible program
- If no credits accepted, must consider student ineligible for 1st payment period

**Final §****691.15(f)(2)**
_**Use one of two methods:**_
_**Method # 1:  transfer grades not incorporated**_
_**Method # 2:  transfer grades incorporated**_

**GPA: National SMART Grant **
**Transfers**

## Method 1 – GPA  
For 1st payment period, use grades earned in courses accepted into National SMART Grant eligible program if academic policy does not incorporate grades from courses accepted
For subsequent payment periods, use institutional policy

- For 1st payment period, use grades earned in courses accepted into National SMART Grant eligible program if academic policy does _***not***_*** ***incorporate grades from courses accepted
- For subsequent payment periods, use institutional policy

**GPA:  National SMART Grant**
**Transfers (Final §****691.15(f)(2)(i))**** **

## Method 2 – GPA
For 1st payment period, use grades earned in courses accepted into National SMART Grant eligible program if academic policy incorporates grades from courses accepted
For subsequent payment periods, use institutional policy that includes grades for transfer courses

- For 1st payment period, use grades earned in courses accepted into National SMART Grant eligible program if academic policy incorporates grades from courses accepted
- For subsequent payment periods, use institutional policy that includes grades for transfer courses

**GPA: National SMART Grant **
**Transfers (Final §691.15(f)(2)(ii))**

## 

Prior Enrollment

**Prior Enrollment**

**Final Regulations**

## Current
§691.15(b)(1)(ii)(B)
While in high school
Is not eligible if enrolled as a “regular student” in an ACG eligible program
May be eligible if not enrolled as a “regular student” in ACG eligible program

**§****691.15(b)(1)(ii)(B)**
- While in high school
- Is not eligible if enrolled as a “regular student” in an ACG eligible program
- May be eligible if not enrolled as a “regular student” in ACG eligible program

**Final**
**§****691.15(b)(1)(ii)(C)**
- While in high school
- Is not eligible if enrolled as a “regular student” in an ACG eligible program _**while being at or below the age of compulsory school attendance**_
- May be eligible if not enrolled as a “regular student” in ACG eligible program

**Prior Enrollment:  1****st**** Year ACG**

## Final Regulations

**   ****SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A RIGOROUS   SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDY**

## Successful Completion of a Rigorous Program:  High School Diploma

**Final**
**§****691.15(b)(1)(ii)(A)**
**§****691.15(b)(1)(iii)(A)**
- In addition to completing a rigorous program, a student must receive a high school diploma or, for a home-schooled student, may receive certification of completion of a secondary education provided by the student’s parent or guardian.

**Current**
**§****691.15(b)(1)(ii)(A)**
**§****691.15(b)(1)(iii)(A)**
- A student must complete a rigorous program using documentation from the appropriate cognizant authority provided by that authority or by the student.

## Successful Completion of a Rigorous Program:  Documentation

**Final**
**§****691.15(b)(2)(i)**
- Must document a student’s successful completion of a rigorous program** **_**and**_ receipt of a high school diploma or certification of completing home-schooling

**Current**
**§****691.15(b)(2)(i)**
- Must document a student’s successful completion  of a rigorous program using documentation from the appropriate cognizant authority provided by that authority or by the student

## Cognizant authority includes but is not limited to:
An LEA
An SEA or other State agency
A public or private high school
A testing organization such as the College Board or State agency 
Parent if student is home-schooled

- An LEA
- An SEA or other State agency
- A public or private high school
- A testing organization such as the College Board or State agency
- Parent if student is home-schooled

**Successful Completion of a Rigorous Program:  Cognizant Authority**

## Successful Completion of a Rigorous Program:  Self-certification (Final §691.15(b)(5)(i))

- Institution must attempt to document a student’s successful completion of a rigorous secondary school program of study in the case of any student who
- Self-certifies on the FAFSA; or
- Otherwise self-identifies to the institution.

## Successful Completion of a Rigorous Program:  Self-certification (Final §691.15(b)(5)(ii))

- If a student does not self-certify completion of a rigorous program on the FAFSA or otherwise, the institution is not required to determine the student’s ACG eligibility, notwithstanding 34 CFR 668.16(f).

## RIGOROUS SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDY

**Final Regulations**

## State-designated programs
State-submitted program
An advanced or honors program established by a State and in existence for the 2004-2005 or 2005-2006 school year
State Scholars Initiative

- State-submitted program
- An advanced or honors program established by a State and in existence for the 2004-2005 or 2005-2006 school year
- State Scholars Initiative

**Recognition of a Rigorous Program:  Currently Designated Programs**

## SSI States

**Arizona**
**Arkansas**
**Connecticut**
**Indiana**
**Kentucky**
**Louisiana**
**Maryland**
**Massachusetts**
**Michigan**
**Mississippi**
**Missouri**
**Nebraska**

**New Hampshire**
**New Jersey**
**New Mexico**
**Oklahoma**
**Rhode Island**
**South Dakota**
**Tennessee**
**Utah **
**Virginia **
**Washington**
**West Virginia**
**Wyoming**

## Completion of at least 2 Advanced Placement (AP) courses with a passing test score of 3 for those courses or 2 International Baccalaureate (IB) courses with a passing test score of 4 for those courses
A set of courses as outlined in the regulations

- A set of courses as outlined in the regulations

**Recognition of a Rigorous Program:  Currently Designated Programs**

## The recognized set of courses consists of:
4 years of English
3 years of mathematics
Two of which must be algebra I and above
3 years of science
Two of which must be one each of biology, chemistry, or physics
3 years of social studies
1 year of a language other than English

- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics
- Two of which must be algebra I and above
- 3 years of science
- Two of which must be one each of biology, chemistry, or physics
- 3 years of social studies
- 1 year of a language other than English

**Recognition of a Rigorous Program:  Currently Designated Programs**

## The Secretary publishes a list of rigorous programs of study that she recognizes:
For students who graduated in 2005 and 2006:
     http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-
     smart/state-programs06.html
For students who graduated in 2007:
         http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-
         smart/2007/state-programs-07.html

- For students who graduated in 2005 and 2006:
-      http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-
-      smart/state-programs06.html
- For students who graduated in 2007:
-          http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/about/ac-
-          smart/2007/state-programs-07.html

**Recognition of a Rigorous Program:  Currently Designated Programs**

## Final §691.16(b)(2)
SEAs and LEAs to may request recognition of rigorous secondary school programs of study for school years beyond the immediate next school year.

- SEAs and LEAs to may request recognition of rigorous secondary school programs of study for school years beyond the immediate next school year.

**Current ****§****691.16**
- The Secretary recognizes at least one rigorous secondary school program of study established by an SEA or LEA in each State.

**Recognition of a Rigorous Program:****Multi-year Recognition**

## Recognition of a Rigorous Program:State Advanced and Honors Programs

- The Secretary also recognizes additional secondary school programs of study as rigorous, including certain advanced and honors programs established by States and in existence for the 2004-2005 or 2005-2006 school year.

**Recognition of a Rigorous Program:****State Advanced and Honors Programs**

**Final §****691.16(d)(1)**
- The Secretary continues recognition of advanced or honors secondary school programs of study for school years subsequent to the 2005-2006 school year.

## 

ELIGIBLE MAJORS

**ELIGIBLE MAJORS**

**Final Regulations**

## Final §691.17(d) and
§691.2(d)
A process is added for institutions to request that additional majors be added to the list of eligible majors for National SMART Grants.
The proposed additional eligible major would be identified by its Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code.

**§****691.2(d)**
- A process is added for institutions to request that additional majors be added to the list of eligible majors for National SMART Grants.
- The proposed additional eligible major would be identified by its Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code.

**Current ****§****691. 17(a)**
- For each award year, the Secretary identifies eligible majors in the physical, life, or computer sciences; mathematics; technology; engineering; and critical foreign languages.

**Determination of Eligible Majors:  Process**

## Requests for designation of an additional eligible major must include:
The CIP code and program title of the additional major
The reason or reasons the institution believes the additional major should be considered
Documentation showing that the institution has actually awarded or plans to award a bachelor’s degree in the requested major

- The CIP code and program title of the additional major
- The reason or reasons the institution believes the additional major should be considered
- Documentation showing that the institution has actually awarded or plans to award a bachelor’s degree in the requested major

**Determination of Eligible Majors:  Process**

## Determination of Eligible Majors:  CIP Code Definition (Final §691.17(d) and §691.2(d)) 

- Adds a definition of CIP code as it pertains to the National SMART Grant Program to current **§691.2(d)**
- A taxonomy of instructional program classifications and descriptions developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics

## Published September 2007
Provides an updated list of eligible majors for the 2007-2008 award year
Does not remove any eligible majors; only adds new eligible majors

- Provides an updated list of eligible majors for the 2007-2008 award year
- Does not remove any eligible majors; only adds new eligible majors

**Determination of Eligible Majors:  Dear Colleague Letter GEN-07-06**

## Additional fields of study:
01.1001 Food Science
01.1002 Food Technology and Processing
03.0104 Environmental Science
03.0301 Fishing and Fisheries Science and Management
03.0502 Forest Sciences and Biology
03.0509 Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology
03.0601 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
30.1001 Biopsychology
30.1901 Nutrition Sciences
42.1101 Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology

- 01.1001 Food Science
- 01.1002 Food Technology and Processing
- 03.0104 Environmental Science
- 03.0301 Fishing and Fisheries Science and Management
- 03.0502 Forest Sciences and Biology
- 03.0509 Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology
- 03.0601 Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
- 30.1001 Biopsychology
- 30.1901 Nutrition Sciences
- 42.1101 Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology

**Determination of Eligible Majors:  Dear Colleague Letter GEN-07-06**

## Determination of Eligible Majors:  Dear Colleague Letter GEN-07-06

**Determination of Eligible Majors:  Dear Colleague Letter GEN-07-06**

## Documenting Major  

**Final **
**§****691.15(d)(1)**
**§****691.15(e)**
- The final regulations clarify how an institution must document:
- a student’s eligible major; and
- progress in the eligible program and major.

**Current**
**§****691.15(c)(2) **
- A student must formally declare an eligible major in accordance with institutional academic requirements.

## Documenting Major

**Final **
**§****691.15(d)(1)**
**§****691.15(e)**
- An institution must maintain documentation of:
- the declared major, or
- in the case of a student’s intent to declare a major, a written declaration of intent provided by the student timely enough for the institution to determine that it still correctly reflects the student’s stated intent.

**Current**
**§****691.15(c)(2) **
- A student must formally declare an eligible major in accordance with institutional academic requirements.

## Documenting Major

**Final **
**§****691.15(d)(1)**
**§****691.15(e)**
- The final regulations require written documentation showing that the student is completing coursework at an appropriate pace in the student’s declared eligible major or intended eligible major.

**Current**
**§****691.15(c)(2) **
- If institutional procedures do not allow formal major declaration in time to qualify for a National SMART Grant,  a student must demonstrate intent to declare an eligible major as documented by the institution and formally declare as soon he or she is able.

## Documenting MajorDCL GEN-07-07

**GEN-07-07**
- October 9, 2007
- Student must be enrolled in at least one course that meets the specific requirements of the student’s National SMART Grant-eligible major to receive a National SMART Grant for the payment period.

**Current**
**§****691.15(c)(2) (ii)**
- Student must enroll in courses necessary both to complete the degree program and fulfill the eligible major requirements.

## Implementation
The remainder of the 2007-2008 award year except through the fall payment period for
Students already packaged and disbursed; or
Students already packaged
2008-2009 award year and beyond
No changes required for the 2006-2007 award year

- The remainder of the 2007-2008 award year except through the fall payment period for
- Students already packaged and disbursed; or
- Students already packaged
- 2008-2009 award year and beyond
- No changes required for the 2006-2007 award year

**Documenting Major****DCL GEN-07-07**

## Contact Information

- We appreciate your feedback and comments.  We can be reached at:
- Sophia McArdle
- Phone:  202 219-7078
- Email:  _[sophia.mcardle@ed.gov](mailto:sophia.mcardle@ed.gov)_
- Carney McCullough
- Phone:  202 502-7639
- Email:  _[carney.mccullough@ed.](mailto:carney.mccullough@ed.gov)__[gov](mailto:carney.mccullough@ed.gov)_
- Fred Sellers
- Phone:  202 502-7502
- Email:  _[fred.sellers@ed.](mailto:fred.sellers@ed.gov)__[gov](mailto:fred.sellers@ed.gov)_
- Fax:  202 502-7874

## Appendix A

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**Appendix B**

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