A Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is an award of funds for educational expenses provided by the federal government to first and second year undergraduate students who completed a rigorous secondary school program of study. The ACG grant does not have to repaid.

The student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year he or she plans to attend, identifying SIUC as a possible school of attendance (Federal School Code 001758). A paper FAFSA form, which can be mailed to the federal processors, is available in the Financial Aid Office (FAO). However, FAO recommends that the application be completed on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAO will receive an electronic report of the results of the application in 2-3 weeks. The student will be provided with a Student Aid Report in paper or electronic form.

Students who file a 2006-2007 FAFSA and appear to meet the minimum requirements will be notified of a special website where applicants will be "walked" through the definition of "rigorous" by answering relative questions about their high school curriculum.

The applicants must 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) and be a U.S. citizen. First-year students must not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program. Second-year students must have at least a cumulative 3.0 grand point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.

Students are determined to have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study if they meet one of the following four alternative rigorous options:

1. An advanced or honors secondary school program established by a state and in existence for the 04-05 or 05-06 school year.
2. State Scholars Initiative
3. Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses and a passing test score.
4. A set of courses similar to those required under the State Scholars initiative.
        4 year of English
        3 years of math
        3 years of science
        3 years of social studies
        1 year of a foreign language
   

All applicants who self-certify and are determined eligible will receive the Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant.

An eligible student may receive up to $750 for their first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for their second academic year of study. Half is awarded for fall semester, and half of which for spring semester. Summer ACG grants are only available if the student has not fully utilized their entire ACG grant during the fall/spring semester and meets all other award criteria.