Maintained for Historical Purposes

This resource is being maintained for historical purposes only and is not currently applicable.

General eligibility requirements for student aid

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.