FA 203: ACG & National SMART Grant Programs

In this course, we will teach the student eligibility criteria applicable to the ACG and National SMART
Grant programs, including the requirements and alternative methods of tracking a student’s academic year progression for purposes of awarding grants under both programs. The course will also teach the institutional eligibility and cash management requirements for properly managing Title IV funds under both grant programs. By completing this course on the ACG and SMART Grant programs, you will be
able to:

• Understand the institution’s responsibilities for the proper administration of both grant programs;

• Identify students who are eligible under each program;

• Calculate award amounts for students under each program;

• Track a student’s academic year progression for purposes of determining eligibility for the various award year grant levels; and

• Make grant disbursements and manage Title IV funds for each program.

This course contains 6 lessons:

• Lesson 1: Course Introduction

• Lesson 2: Introduction and Common Requirements

• Lesson 3: ACG Program-Specific Criteria

• Lesson 4: SMART Program-Specific Criteria

• Lesson 5: Academic Year Progression and Awarding

• Lesson 6: Disbursing and Managing Grant Funds

Registration for this Online Course will be available in 2009.

Submit Questions About this Online Course

Background Information
LearnStudentAid.org is the first learning community on the Web created by financial aid administrators
for financial aid administrators. It was developed and is supported by NASFAA – the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators – and has been available to NASFAA Members for enrollment
since September 1, 2004. Since August 1, 2005, LearnStudentAid.org training has been available to non-NASFAA Members, including other associations and organizations with an interest in the professional training of individuals who assist students with financing their education. LearnStudentAid.org is now celebrating its fifth anniversary.

LearnStudentAid.org courses are available only on the Web, but reflect the knowledge and experience NASFAA brings with over 30 years of experience training student financial aid administrators. This online training also relies on the best practices of online learning, which have been developed and shared by higher education institutions, associations, agencies, and corporations. Each course includes:

• Several Web-based guided lessons

• Examples or case studies

• Web-based discussion forums

• Web-based completion of assignments

• Quizzes on the content in those lessons

The success of student financial aid depends on the skills of the people who administer it. Yet new aid administrators are hired every day and thrust into jobs managing thousands – sometimes millions – of federal, state, institutional, and private dollars. Financial aid administrators are expected to keep pace with ever-changing regulations, laws, private donor restrictions, and technology. All too often, aid administrators simply go without proper training and are left to decipher the complexities of the job on their own. LearnStudentAid.org is designed to give new staff members training as soon as they are hired.

Please direct all questions and comments about NASFAA's LearnStudentAid to LearnStudentAid@NASFAA.org.