Eligibility Criteria
Generally, to qualify for federal, state and institutional financial assistance, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (see glossary for definition of eligible non-citizen)
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Have a high school diploma/GED/certificate of completion of a home-study program recognized by the student's home state
- Make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree
- Establish financial need. (For some sources of aid, this is not a requirement. Please check "grants and scholarships" for more details.)
- Register for Selective Service, if required
- Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that he or she will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a repayment on a federal student grant
- Not be convicted of an illegal drug offense
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student (i.e., all admissions requirements/documents have been satisfied) working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program