USBC SMART Program Announces Policy Adjustments For 2024
October 17, 2023
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress Scholarship Management and Account Reporting for Tenpins (SMART) program has approved policy adjustments for 2024 to give SMART Providers more time to use SMART deposited unassigned funds and allow for additional funding to the SMART Pell Grant Match program.
The first expiration date for SMART deposited unassigned funds has been moved back to July 31, 2024. The previously announced date was Feb. 14. This adjustment comes following feedback from Providers requesting the expiration date align with the end of the bowling season. SMART plans to continue with the July 31 expiration date moving forward, which now gives Providers over 2 1/2 years to use newly SMART deposited unassigned funds.
Effective in 2024, SMART will adjust the annual Recipient allocation, shifting more funds to the Pell Grant Match program. Moving forward, the annual Recipient allocation will be split evenly between the Active Recipient Bonus and Pell Grant Match programs. This change comes as interest in the Pell Grant Match program is growing with higher usage rates compared to the Active Recipient Bonus.
The third policy change announced for 2024 is a requirement for all Providers to be current and approved with USBC’s Registered Volunteer Program (RVP). Effective Jan. 1, 2024, all new Providers must be registered volunteers, and starting Aug. 1, 2024, all current Providers must be compliant in order to continue using the program.
“We are working to keep improving SMART by helping more youth bowlers while still meeting the expectations of Providers,” SMART Oversight Committee Chair Frank Wilkinson said. “We heard feedback from SMART Providers and Recipients that these adjustments will be a long-term improvement for SMART, and we are pleased to announce the changes.”
Since taking over supervision of SMART program policies in 2021, USBC has given nearly $16 million in earnings allocations to SMART Providers and Recipients. USBC previously announced an intention to maintain at least a $7 million allocation annually for SMART, so Providers should aggressively use their unassigned funds knowing there will be consistent new funding in the coming year.
For more information on the SMART program, visit BOWL.com/SMART.
The first expiration date for SMART deposited unassigned funds has been moved back to July 31, 2024. The previously announced date was Feb. 14. This adjustment comes following feedback from Providers requesting the expiration date align with the end of the bowling season. SMART plans to continue with the July 31 expiration date moving forward, which now gives Providers over 2 1/2 years to use newly SMART deposited unassigned funds.
Effective in 2024, SMART will adjust the annual Recipient allocation, shifting more funds to the Pell Grant Match program. Moving forward, the annual Recipient allocation will be split evenly between the Active Recipient Bonus and Pell Grant Match programs. This change comes as interest in the Pell Grant Match program is growing with higher usage rates compared to the Active Recipient Bonus.
The third policy change announced for 2024 is a requirement for all Providers to be current and approved with USBC’s Registered Volunteer Program (RVP). Effective Jan. 1, 2024, all new Providers must be registered volunteers, and starting Aug. 1, 2024, all current Providers must be compliant in order to continue using the program.
“We are working to keep improving SMART by helping more youth bowlers while still meeting the expectations of Providers,” SMART Oversight Committee Chair Frank Wilkinson said. “We heard feedback from SMART Providers and Recipients that these adjustments will be a long-term improvement for SMART, and we are pleased to announce the changes.”
Since taking over supervision of SMART program policies in 2021, USBC has given nearly $16 million in earnings allocations to SMART Providers and Recipients. USBC previously announced an intention to maintain at least a $7 million allocation annually for SMART, so Providers should aggressively use their unassigned funds knowing there will be consistent new funding in the coming year.
For more information on the SMART program, visit BOWL.com/SMART.