Federal Grants

Federal Academic Competitive Grants (ACG)

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 students meeting the following criteria:

• Pell eligible
• Enrolled at least half-time (six credits or more)
• Have completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by student's state of residence
• (Applies to second-year students) Have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0

The program is available for first-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005.

Federal Sciences & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to students meeting the following criteria:

• Pell eligible
• Enrolled at least half-time (six credits or more)
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major
• Enrolled in and taking coursework toward one of the following Luther majors: biology, chemistry, math, computer science, physics, statistics

Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program

A TEACH Grant will provide up to $4,000 to assist students intending to teach in a school that serves students from low-income families. In addition, the student must be willing to teach in a high-need field as determined either by the U.S. Department of Education or by a state education agency.

To receive this grant, students must meet all of the following criteria:

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Enroll in coursework necessary to begin a teaching career
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25/4.00 or score above the 75th percentile on a college admission test such as the ACT or SAT
• Agree to teach in a high-need field including Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Reading Specialist, Science or Special Education
• Agree to teach in other identified shortage areas (Word doc) as of the time you begin to teach in that field
• Agree to teach in a school that serves low-income students (https://www.tcli.ed.gov/CBSWebApp/tcli/)
• Meet with a member of the Financial Aid Office staff to discuss your eligibility
• Complete Teach Grant Counseling and the Agreement to Serve (https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/index.action)

Failure to teach in a position that is designated as a shortage field and is located in a low-income school for four years out of the first eight upon graduation or otherwise leaving school will result in all TEACH Grant funds converting to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans with accrued interest being charged back to the original disbursement dates of each TEACH Grant.

Federal Pell Grant

Grant assistance designed to assist undergraduate students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.

The maximum annual award under this program for the 2009-10 year is $5,350.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

Federal award designed as a complementary grant to the Federal Pell Grant.

Students receiving this award must also demonstrate a high level of financial need. An eligible undergraduate may be awarded a grant of $100 to $2,000.

State Grants

Iowa Tuition Grant

This grant is available to qualified undergraduate Iowa residents. Students may receive the ITG for no more than eight full-time semesters. The ITG is based on financial need and a FAFSA filing deadline of July 1.

The maximum ITG for the 2009-10 academic year is $4,000. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time to receive the maximum award. Students enrolled less than full time may qualify for a pro-rated award.

In the event that available state funds are insufficient to pay the full amount of each approved grant, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission has the authority to administratively reduce the award.

Iowa Grant

Exceptionally needy undergraduate Iowa residents may be eligible. These grants, available for full- and part-time students, range from $100 to $1,000 and are intended to promote access to Iowa colleges and universities. Due to limited funding, only a select number of applicants will be assisted. A student must complete the FAFSA to be considered.