Program Requirements

To be eligible for most federal and state programs, students must meet the following general requirements:

• Demonstrate financial need for need-based federal student aid programs;
• Be a U.S. Citizen or National; U.S. Permanent Resident; Citizen of the Freely Associated States; and Other Eligible Non-citizens;
• Have a valid Social Security Number (except for students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent;

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;

• Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;

• Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form stating that you’re not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you’ll only use federal student aid for educational purposes;

• Show that you are qualified to obtain a college or career school education;

• Not be in default on a federal student loan;
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress; and
• Additional eligibility requirements can apply in certain situations including for non-U.S. citizens and students with criminal convictions.