Financial Aid

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

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Effective July 1, 2006, the Department of Education has implemented a new federal financial aid program which may affect Ocean County College students:  

• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG ) – 1st and 2nd year students.
• Grant: does not have to be repaid
   

ACG Requirements:

For Pell-eligible students enrolled at least half-time in their first or second year of study or in a certificate program of at least one year at a degree-granting school.

First year: must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study; graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2006.

Second year: must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study; graduated from high school after
Jan. 1, 2005; have at least 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of first year of post secondary study.

Rigorous high school program to be determined by New Jersey Department of Education or by OCC using one or all of the options posted by the US Department of Education. GED recipients are not eligible.

• Must be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Must meet all other Title IV eligibility requirements.
• Must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program.
• Must be Pell-eligible.
• 2nd year students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. (A 2nd year student has earned 24 credits towards a degree)

For 09-10
1st year student Maximum Award - $750 ($375 per semester), 2nd year student Maximum Award - $1300 ($650 per semester).

The US Department of Education on July 1, 2008, e-mailed all potentially eligible students who filed a 08/09 FAFSA instructions to go online and self-identify themselves as possible recipients of this program. If you received this e-mail please go to https://fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/fotw0607/ACGServlet with your Federal Student Aid PIN and answer the online questions.

You may also call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1.800.4.FED.AID (1.800.433.3243) and ask to provide the additional information for the ACG .  

The US Department of Education will then notify OCC of your potential eligibility.

Please be aware that even if OCC's financial aid office is notified of your potential eligibility you must meet all other title IV eligibility requirements in order to receive this grant.