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Federal Eligibility Requirements

The federal government is the primary source of financial aid for college students. Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for federal aid:  

  • Demonstrate financial need through their financial aid application. (Some loans and scholarships are available to students without need.)
  • Have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) certificate, or have homeschool completion documentation. If you don’t, you may still be eligible for federal student aid if you were enrolled in college or career school prior to July 1, 2012.
  • Be accepted for enrollment in a financial aid eligible degree or certificate program.
  • Enroll for coursework that is accepted for credit by your degree or certificate program.
  • Be enrolled at least half-time (six or more credit hours) to receive Federal Direct Loans.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number. Federal regulations limit financial assistance available to non-U.S. citizens.
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree program.
  • Use aid only for educational purposes.
  • Remain in good standing on any existing federal educational loan and/or not owe a refund on a federal grant. 
  • Attend all classes for which you enroll. If you fail a class, fail to establish attendance, or do not participate, your financial aid could be adjusted.