Student Eligibility

For student financial aid eligibility, you must:

Have financial need, except for some student loan programs

Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED)* Certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, or meet other standards your state establishes that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program (i.e., associate degree, transfer certification or a vocational certificate program)
  • Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Have a valid Social Security Number
  • Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant

A student’s eligibility for most state and federal financial aid begins with his or her financial need. For further information see Cost of Education & Financial Need. This is the difference between the cost of attendance and what the student is expected to pay to attend college. The student college budget (i.e.,  cost of attendance) includes standardized amounts for tuition and fees, books, food and housing, educational transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses.

To determine a student's financial aid eligibility, colleges must first receive the information from the student's FAFSA. Students who file the FAFSA will receive a "Student Aid Report" (SAR) within four weeks. It will list the student's expected family contribution, or EFC. A standard formula is used to calculate the EFC based upon the information the student provides on the FAFSA. 

When you apply for federal student financial aid the U. S. Department of Education verifies some of your information with the following federal agencies:

 

Last Updated 12/11/07
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