AwardYear: 1996-1997 Edition: PostSecondary Part: 1 - - General information about postsecondary opportunities SectionNumber: 2 SectionTitle: General eligibility requirements for student aid PageNumbers: 14 All types of financial aid have some kind of ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. Financial aid from a state usually requires that the recipient be a resident of that state. Some scholarships specify that the recipient must be enrolling in a particular field of study or have maintained a high grade point average in high school. Eligibility for most of the federal student aid programs is based on FINANCIAL NEED rather than academic achievement. To have their financial need determined, students must complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). How to obtain and complete this important document is discussed in detail in Part 3 of this handbook. In addition to the financial need requirement, federal student aid programs require that the student recipient - have a high school diploma or a GED, receive a passing score on an independently administered examination approved by the Department, or meet other standards established by your state and approved by the Department; - enroll as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program; - be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; - have a valid Social Security Number; - make satisfactory academic progress; and - sign statements regarding Educational Purpose and a Certification on Overpayments and Defaults (both are now on the FAFSA). A student must enroll at least half time to be eligible for Direct Loans or FFELs. |