Here are some great grants just established by the 2005 Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005. Remember, grants do not need to be repaid. Whoo hoo!

Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005

Two new student aid grant programs were created by a federal law that went into effect on July 1, 2006. They are the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant). See below for more information about each grant program.

Academic Competitiveness Grant is available for first year undergrads up to $750 and second year undergrads up to $1,300.

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen;
• Federal Pell Grant eligible;
• Enrolled full-time in a degree program;
• Enrolled in the first or second academic year of your program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution;
• Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year (if you are a second-year student).

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) is for third- and fourth-year undergraduate students who are eligible to receive up to $ 4,000 each year.

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen;
• Federal Pell Grant eligible;
• Enrolled full-time pursuing a major in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language; and
• Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Happy Earth Day! As billions of people take a moment to celebrate this beautiful blue ball we live on and take steps to make it cleaner, greener and better for all, let’s look at how taking care of the Earth can land you a scholarship.

Extra-curricular activities are always a highlighted portion of most scholarship applications, so starting a recycling program at your school, church, synagogue or popular hang-out is a great way to not only help the Earth, but it will also improve your resume. Talking to younger kids about the importance of thinking green is another example of a win-win.

Take your enviromental activity to the next level and join organizations like Conservation.Org or Greenpeace or take part in green projects in your city.

And a bonus - Environmental Scholarship:

Environmental Science and Engineering Scholarships

Criteria:

* an academic record with at least an overall GPA of 3.0;
* original research, scholarship, employment, volunteering, or other unique contributions to environmental science or environmental engineering;
* activity in nonathletic extra-curricular activities and organizations;
* ability to communicate;
* recommendations from education and environmental professionals; and
* a major in environmental science or environmental engineering.

These are close to the deadline - like right now - but, if you can get your stuff together and have a little cash for the overnight delivery, you may have a shot at these!

Mesa State College has a bounty of scholarships due April 1:
Mesa State College Academic (Colorado) Scholarship-WCCC
Criteria:
- Full time students Mesa State College
- GPA of 3.0 enrolled
- In a degree program within School of Applied Technology (WCCC programs).

American Business Women Association (ABWA) WCCC Scholarship
Criteria:
-Full time female Mesa State College
-Pursuing associate degree at WCCC
-Mesa County, Colorado resident
-3.5 GPA

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Deadline: April 1, 2008.

-The John L. Carey Scholarship awards ten $5,000 scholarships to liberal arts degree holders who are entering a graduate accounting program.

The AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students

- Declared accounting major with the intention of becoming a CPA
- Full-time undergraduate student (12 semester hours or equivalent) at a four-year or upper division institution, unless completing his/her final semester of study
- Successfully completed at least 30 semester hours (or equivalent) of college coursework, including at least 6 semester hours in accounting
- Maintained at least a 3.3 GPA (major and cumulative)
- A student of Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; Asian; American Indian or Alaska Native; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; or of two or more races
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder)
- An AICPA Student Affiliate member