Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

If you want to go to college, you have to be prepared to pay for it. And if you're like many of the soon-to-be college students out there, you will need college student financial aid. In order to get all the financial aid that you need, you first need to find out if you are eligible for financial aid.

Here is a list of college financial aid eligibility requirements you must pass before you fill out the FAFSA financial aid form:

You must be enrolled and admitted to a degree program

If you're just entering college or you're in your 15th quarter you will be eligible for all financial funding. If you're in your 16th through 18th quarter, you will be eligible for limited funding. If you're past your 19th quarter, you won't eligible for funding. If you're a part-time student, you will be eligible for limited funded.

You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen

Eligible non-citizens include:

• U.S. national
• U.S. permanent resident who has an alien registration receipt card
• Refugee students
• Students with asylum granted
• Students with indefinite parole or humanitarian parole

You will not be eligible for financial aid if you're only in the U.S. with an international student visa, an exchange visitor visa, or a G-series visa.

You must have a valid social security number

If you're not a U.S. citizen and you need to apply for a social security card, you must:

• Complete the Social Security application
• Show original documents or copies of documents that prove your U.S. citizenship/immigrant status, age, and identity.

You must be in good standing with your school

You need to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and have credit for 36 units (about 12 passing classes) to continue to receive funds. If you do not maintain these academic standards, you will be put on financial aid probation for one year. During this year you must meet with an academic advisor. If you don't do this during your probation, you will lose your financial aid.

You must not miss any federal education payments or owe any federal grant money

If you have failed to make any payments on time or you have an outstanding fee with your federal student loans, you will be reported to a credit bureau. This can result in you receiving a bad credit score on your annual credit report or losing all of your financial aid.

You must register with the Selective Service if you are male

If you are between the ages of 18 and 26, you have to register with the selective service. You can either do this online or get an application from your high school or the local post office.

You have to be enrolled in the required amount of units for the aid you are receiving

Most types of aid require you to be enrolled in at least 6 units (2 classes) before you can receive any more aid. If you aren't enrolled in the required units, some funds will be cut back or taken away completely.

Applying for financial aid is an easy process if you are prepared for it ahead of time. As long as you maintain your college financial aid eligibility requirements, you will be well on your way towards an exciting and educational college experience.