Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to receive Federal Title IV financial aid, students must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Have a high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma)
  • Have a valid Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Be enrolled and working towards a degree or eligible certificate/program of study
  • Have the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development (GED) certificate or other state-sanctioned test or diploma-equivalency certificate
  • Have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
  • Not be in default or owe a refund on any Title IV aid programs from any source
  • Complete the entire financial aid application process (FAFSA)
  • Have demonstrated financial need (to receive need-based aid)

How Eligibility is Determined and Federal Aid Distributed Among Students.

Eligibility for federal aid is determined by the results of the FAFSA and eligibility for institutional need-based aid is determined by the results of the CSS Profile.  Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree or a professional degree.  The amount is determined by the federal government based on the results of the FAFSA, cost of attendance, full or part-time status, and intent to enroll for the full academic year or a portion of the year.

FSEOG and Federal Work Study eligibility are also based on financial need derived from the FAFSA.  The specific dollar amount of these awards can vary each year and is subject to available funding.  Awarding ceases once funds are exhausted.

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Under this federal student loan program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. Award amounts for Direct Loans are based on a combination of factors, including the student’s grade level, financial need and dependency status (with an additional check against the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS).