Federal Student Aid

Who can get federal student aid?

Eligibility is based on financial need and on several other factors. Your eligibility is determined by the information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Here are some of the basic requirements you must meet:

1. Demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans-see below).

2. Demonstrate by one of the following means that you're qualified to enroll in postsecondary education:

a. Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate;

b. Pass an approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test (if you don't have a diploma or GED, a school can administer a test to determine whether you can benefit from the education offered at that school);

c. Meet other standards your state establishes; or

d. Complete a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law.

3. Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.

4. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (such as a permanent resident).

5. Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.

You might not be able to receive federal student aid if you've been convicted under federal or state law of selling or possessing illegal drugs.

If you have a conviction for these offenses, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center to find out your status. Even if you're ineligible for federal aid, you should still complete the federal student aid application (the FAFSA): Many schools and states use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for aid they offer.

If you have a question about your citizenship status, contact the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend.

What about the financial need requirement?

Aid from most programs is awarded based on financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans).

Your financial need is calculated according to a formula established by law.

Most use an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number when you need is determined. The EFC is a measure of your family's financial strength and is calculated from the information you report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your EFC will appear on your Student Aid Report (SAR) you receive.

To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, your EFC must be below a certain number, which can vary from year to year. For the 2006-2007 award year, eligibility for a Pell Grant required an EFC of under 3850.

To determine your financial need for other federal student aid programs (unless you receive an unsubsidized Stafford Loan), your school will subtract from your cost of attendance the following: the EFC, any Federal Pell Grant amount you're eligible for, and other financial aid you'll receive. If anything is left over, you're considered to have financial need for additional federal student aid.

How much aid you can get?

Because the Expected Family Contribution formula must be applied to each family's financial information, we can't tell you here whether you'll be eligible for federal student aid or estimate how much aid you might get. That's why you need to apply to find out. For more information about your eligibility status after you get your application results, contact the financial aid office(s) at the school(s) you're considering.

Special circumstances in determining financial need

In some cases, a school's financial aid administrator might adjust your cost of attendance or the information used to calculate your EFC to take into account special circumstances you might have. These circumstances could include your family's unusual medical expenses, tuition expenses, or unemployment. The aid administrator decides whether to make an adjustment, however; his or her decision is final and cannot be appealed.