The Department of Education has announced two new grants. The Academic Competitiveness and National SMART grants will provide high performing college students with up to $4,000 a year for maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA.

Academic Competitiveness Grant
An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. The program will be available for the first time for the 2006-07 school year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005 . The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

Free SAT/ACT Exam Software for Military Families:
Thanks to an NFL Players Donation, military personnel can obtain SAT/ACT Standard Power Prep program(s) without charge. The SAT/ACT Standard Power Prep programs normally cost $199.00. Families that request the program(s) pay only shipping & handling costs associated with the request.

For more information and to order the software, visit www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil (external web site - not endorsed by Menwith Hill School or DoDDS).

The MG James Ursano Scholarship Fund administered by Army Emergency Relief was established in 1976 as a secondary mission to help Army families with the costs of post secondary undergraduate level education, vocational training, and preparation for acceptance by service academies for their dependent children. The application and further information can be found at www.aerhq.org (external web site - not endorsed by Menwith Hill School or DoDDS)