To receive aid from the programs outlined in the U.S. Department of Educations Financial Aid Publication, you must:
demonstrate financial need, except for some 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, meet other standards your state establishes that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as a home school or private school under state law. See your financial aid administrator for more information.
be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
have a valid Social Security Number.
make satisfactory academic progress.
certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant.
comply with the Selective Service registration, if required.
When you apply for aid from the SFA programs, the U.S. Department of Education verifies some of your information with the following federal agencies:
Social Security Administration (for verification of Social Security Numbers and U.S. citizenship status)
Selective Service System (for verification of Selective Service registration status, if applicable)
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (for verification of eligible non-citizenship status, if applicable)
U.S. Department of Justice (for verification that an applicant has not been denied federal student aid by the courts as the result of a drug-related conviction)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (for verification of veteran status, if applicable)
To apply for any type of federal student aid, you must fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.