Answering Students' Questions
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Eligibility
Eligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors. The financial aid administrator at the college or career school you plan to attend will determine your eligibility.
To receive aid from our programs, a student must:
- Qualify for financial need (except for certain loans).
- Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards your state establishes that the Department approves, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law.
- Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
- Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you're from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
- Register with the Selective Service if required. Students can use the paper or electronic FAFSA to register, register at www.sss.gov, or call 1-847-688-6888. (TTY users can call 1-847-688-2567.)
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.
- Students must certify that they are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant.
- Certify that federal student aid is used only for educational purposes.
The Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended (HEA) suspends aid eligibility for students who have been convicted under federal or state law for the sale or possession of illegal drugs while enrolled and receiving federal student aid. If students have a conviction(s) for these offenses, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or go to the FAFSA on the Web site, click "Before Beginning A FAFSA", then click on "Drug Conviction Worksheet" in the left column to find out how this law applies to them.
Even when students are ineligible for federal aid, they should complete the FAFSA because they may be eligible for nonfederal aid from states and private institutions. If a student regains eligibility during the award year, he/she should notify the financial aid administrator immediately. If a student is convicted of a drug-related offense after submitting the FAFSA, the student might lose eligibility for federal student aid, and may be liable for returning any financial aid received during a period of ineligibility. Students should contact the financial aid office at the college or career school they plan to attend if they have a question about their citizenship status.
