Basic Eligibility

The Department of Education has outlined basic eligibility requirements to receive federal financial aid.

demonstrate financial need for need-based federal student aid programs;
be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
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);
be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly into your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form;
sign the certification statement on the 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; and
show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education.

Financial Aid