What is a Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant?

The Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant is gift aid for undergraduate students--who haven't earned a bachelor's degree--with financial need. The National Academic Competitiveness Grant is available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school year for first and second year students meet the requirements listed below. The National Academic Competitiveness Grant is awarded in addition to the student's Federal Pell Grant.

QUICK LINKS

How to Apply!

WSU Cost Calculator

What is required to receive a Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant? 

•  The student must meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.

•  The student must be a U.S. citizen.

•  The student must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient

•  The student must be enrolled full-time.

•  The student must be an undergraduate student working towards his/her first bachelor's degree and in his/her first year (and never previously enrolled in an undergraduate program) or second year of study.

•  If a first year student, the student must have completed WSU College Preparatory Curriculum from a secondary school program of study and graduated from high school after January 1, 2006.

•  If a second year student, the student must have completed WSU College Preparatory Curriculum from a secondary school program of study and graduated from high school after January 1, 2005, and the student must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (based on a 4.0 scale).

NOTE: The U.S. Department of Education reviews the results of the FAFSA to find students who potentially meet the criteria for the Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant. This review only identifies potential Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant recipients. Schools determine which students may actually receive the this new grant.

The maximum Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant award is $750 for eligible first year students and $1,300 for eligible second year students. How much a student receives will depend upon the student's need, the school's cost of attendance, and the other forms of financial aid awarded to the student. The amount of Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant funds a student can receive cannot exceed one full academic year's award eligibility, and students may not receive Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant funds from more than one school at the same time.

How do students apply for a Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant?

1. Submit FAFSA.

The student must first file a FAFSA.

2. If you plan to enroll Summer, go to WINGS Express and complete the Summer Aid Request.

Logon to the WINGS portal and click on the WINGS Express icon. Enter your University ID and WINGS Express PIN. Click on "Student and Financial Aid" and then click on "Financial Aid and Scholarships". Click on "Summer Aid Request" and select the appropriate aid year. Indicate your enrollment plans for Summer.

3. Check WINGS Express for Outstanding Requirements and/or Award Notice.

If the student has been admitted to Wright State University and has no additional outstanding requirements on his/her Financial Aid and Scholarship Requirement link on WINGS Express, the Office of Financial Aid will post the student's Award Notice on WINGS Express at the scheduled time. To check WINGS Express for outstanding requirements, logon to the WINGS portal and click on the WINGS Express icon. Enter your University ID and WINGS Express PIN. Click on "Student and Financial Aid" and then click on "Financial Aid and Scholarships". Click on "Financial Aid and Scholarship Requirements" and select the appropriate aid year. NOTE: Click on "Requirement Messages" for additional information/links regarding your outstanding requirements.

4. Go to WINGS Express to View Award Notice.

Logon to the WINGS portal and click on the WINGS Express icon. Enter your University ID and WINGS Express PIN. Click on "Student and Financial Aid" and then click on "Financial Aid and Scholarships". Click on "Award Notice" and select the appropriate aid year.

How are Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant monies applied to the student's fees?

If the student is eligible for disbursement, then the Office of the Bursar will apply the Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant award to the student's fees (tuition, fees, room and board, and other institutional charges permitted by the student). Any Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant funds remaining, after being applied to the student's fees, will be mailed to the student by check or can be directly deposited in a checking or savings account of the student's choice.