• Reauthorized Student Loans Through 2012
• Created Academic Competitiveness and National SMART Grants (later modified by the Ensuring Continued Access To Student Loans Act)
• Increased FFEL and DL Loan Limits
• Reduced Loan Origination Fees
• Provided for Consistent Repayment Plans
• Streamline FAFSA
• Need Analysis Formula
• Reduced Insurance
• PLUS Interest Rate
• 'Negative SAP'
• College Access Initiative

NASFAA News and Resources

• Changes to ACG and SMART effective July 1, 2009 as a result of the Ensuring Continued Access To Student Loans Act
  
  
• Chart of HERA Original Implementation Dates
  
  
• NASFAA Articles and Q&As
  
  
• HERA Training
  
  

Department of Education News and Resources

• Maximum ACG and National SMART Grant Awards for the 2009-10 Award Year
  
  
• Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) Recognized State Rigorous Secondary School Programs of Study
  
  
• National SMART Grant Program - List of Eligible Majors for Academic Year 2008-2009
  
  
• Pell Grant, ACG, and SMART Programs Update - July 2008
  
  
• State by State Performance Data for ACG and SMART (2006-07 and 2007-08)
  
  
• Dear Colleague Letters
  
  
• Electronic Announcements
  
  
• Federal Registers
  
  
• Legislation

Statutory Language

• Academic Competitiveness and National SMART Grants (pdf)
  
  
• Changes made by HERA to Student and Institutional Eligibility, and Student Assistance General Provisions
  
  

Resources for Students

• ED's Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grants Web Page for Students, Parents, and Counselors