Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, stressed the importance of new grants today aimed to help boost America’s competitiveness on a global scale. By providing incentives for low-income college students who major in math, science, technology, engineering and foreign languages Enzi believes America will remain a leader in the global economy. 

“Our nation’s ability to compete in a fast-paced global economy will hinge on producing graduates with world class math and science skills,” said Enzi. “The National Science Foundation estimates that nearly 75 percent of students in China are pursuing degree programs in science and engineering while the European Union is producing engineers at a two-to-one ratio compared to the United States. Meeting this global challenge will require new programs that encourage juniors and seniors to pursue careers in math and science related fields. These grants will provide targeted support to nurture that development.”

The “Science and Math Access to Retain Talent” (SMART) Grant was included by the HELP Committee in the “Higher Education Reauthorization Act and was recently included in the Senate budget reconciliation bill that is currently being debated on the Senate floor. The grants provide eligible low-income students up to $1500 per year during their third and fourth years of study at a higher education institution. To be eligible for this grant, a student must qualify for a Federal Pell Grant and enroll in an eligible post-secondary academic program, as determined by the Secretary of Education.

Enzi took part in a news conference with Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., John Warner, R-Va., and representatives from the business and higher education communities today to highlight the need to retain the SMART Grants.

The National SMART Grant is authorized at $2.25 billion over five years, under S. 1614, the Higher Education Reauthorization Act. The program includes an optional matching component whereby funds from private sources, namely the business community, may provide additional assistance to eligible students.