Check to see if your school participates in federal student aid. If you they do, you will likely need to complete the FAFSA. There are some basic eligibility criteria you need to meet to qualify to receive federal aid.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have a valid social security number, apart from students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau
- Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment at a school and program which is authorized to offer federal student aid
- Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED), or have completed a curriculum in a home school setting that satisfies your state’s requirements for home-schooling**
- Not be in current default of a federal student loan
- Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or loan overpayment
**Students who first enrolled in an accredited college or career school before July 1, 2012, or are enrolled in an eligible career pathway program, may qualify by satisfying alternative criteria, as passing an approved ability-to-benefit test or completing six credit hours or equivalent course work toward a degree or certificate.