AwardYear: 1997-1998 Edition: PostSecondary Part: 1 - - General information about postsecondary opportunities SectionNumber: SectionTitle: General eligibility requirements for student aid PageNumbers: 13 General eligibility requirements for student aid Eligibility for SFA programs is based on financial need rather than academic achievement. To have his or her EFC determined, a student must fill out and file the FAFSA. Unlike admissions applications, the FAFSA is sent to a federal government processing center that is independent of postsecondary schools. The student's information is entered into the Department's computer system, which then calculates the student's official EFC. The application process for financial aid is described in Part 2 of this handbook, and completion of the FAFSA is discussed in Part 3. Additionally, to be eligible for SFA program funds, a student must - 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 (the one exception to this requirement--for students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau--is described on page 58); - make satisfactory academic progress; and - sign statements on the FAFSA regarding Educational Purpose and Overpayments and Defaults. Also note that a student must enroll at least half time to be eligible for Direct Loans or FFELs. In the past, students were required to sign a Statement of Registration Status (for Selective Service registration). This statement is no longer required. However, students who must register for the Selective Service may use the FAFSA to do so; one of the questions on the FAFSA (number 105 under Section H) asks if the student wants the Selective Service to register him. |