70 grants reactivated

First they were told they would get $4,000 for college. Then federal leaders said "not so." But this week about 70 students will learn that they'll get the checks after all.

Utah State University students say it has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster, but those who are walking away with grant money are relieved.

In August some 150 USU students were told they would be losing their federal student grants because they have too many credits.

About 450 students originally were awarded the $4,000 Science and Mathematics Access to Retaining Talent (SMART) grants. The grants were made available to students majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering "or in a foreign language determined critical to national security."

But the grants are available only during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. Those in their fifth year aren't eligible.

Federal officials said that if the academic school year, which can differ from school to school, is defined as 30 semester credits, then after students have completed 120 credits, which represents four years of schooling, they would no longer be eligible.

So students who had tested out of courses for credit, had taken AP courses in high school and those students such as former missionaries who had an extra dozen or so credits through testing out of foreign language classes had too many credits to be eligible.

That didn't set well with many students, including USU senior John Sapp, an engineering student. Sapp, along with dozens of others, sent letters to federal officials as well as to their congressmen, making pleas for a re-evaluation of the interpretation of the law.

"I know it is difficult to change things, but I saw it as kind of an injustice ... and if I could help to change that it would help me and a lot of other students as well," Sapp said.

Steve Sharp, USU assistant director of financial aid, said after media attention, letters from students and some pressure from Utah's congress-

ional delegation, the Department of Education made some adjustments.

Last week the Department released clarifying guidelines that will allow some wiggle room for the next two years, benefiting 70 of the 150 USU students who were disqualified.