To qualify for federal student aid (grants, loans, and work-study funds), you have to meet certain requirements.

Our general eligibility requirements are that you must

  1. demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
  2. be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
  3. have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
  4. be registered with Selective Service*, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25);
  5. be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
  6. be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
  7. maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
  8. sign statements on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) stating that
    1. you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and
    2. you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and
  9. show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by
    1. having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or
    2. completing a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law.

If you were enrolled in college or career school prior to July 1, 2012, you may show you’re qualified to obtain a higher education by

  1. passing an approved ability-to-benefit test (if you don’t have a diploma or GED, a college can administer a test to determine whether you can benefit from the education offered at that school);
  2. completing six credit hours or equivalent course work toward a degree or certificate (you may not receive aid while earning the six credit hours); or
  3. meeting other federally approved standards your state establishes.

*Most male students must be registered with Selective Service to receive federal student aid. You also must register if you are a male and are not currently on active duty in the U.S. armed forces. If you are a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands or the Republic of Palau, you are exempt from registering. You can call Selective Service toll-free at 1-888-655-1825 for general information about registering, or register online at www.sss.gov or via the FAFSA.