Step Three – Determining your Financial Aid Eligibility
To obtain a realistic idea of what you may qualify for in Federal and State Aid, you will need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Each student’s circumstance is unique, so you can’t assume that your friends or acquaintances will have the same eligibility.
Basic Federal Student Aid Requirements
In order to qualify for Federal Student Aid, you must:
- Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States
- Possess a valid Social Security Number
- Be registered for the Selective Service if you are a male over 25 years of age
- Register for the Selective Service if you are a male between 18 and 25 (which can be completed as a part of the FAFSA application process)
- Reach post-secondary academic requirements
- Have a valid high school diploma or equivalent of a high school diploma OR
- Have completed high school level homeschooling OR
- Have successfully completed the ability-to-benefit test or six credits of college level coursework that apply to a degree or certificate level program at the post-secondary institution
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA needs to be completed for the time frame that you plan to attend the post-secondary institution and receive aid. For example, the 2020-2021 FAFSA is in effect July 1st, 2020 through June 30th, 2021. The 2020-2021 FAFSA will become available for completion on October 1st, 2019 and will be applicable from July 1st, 2020 through June 30th, 2021. (and so on!)
LEARN MORE: Financial Aid for Non-Citizens >>>
