Eligibility Requirements

To receive aid from the student aid programs, you must meet all the following criteria:

• have a 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.
  
  
• 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. If you don't have a social security number you can find out more about applying for one at www.ssa.gov
  
  
• make satisfactory academic progress.
  
  
• sign a statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying that you will use the federal student aid only for educational purposes.
  
  
• sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant.
  
  
• register with the Selective Service, if required. If you are not registered with selective service, you can find out more about registering at www.sss.gov
  
  
• must not have eligibility suspended or terminated due to a drug-related conviction