How to Qualify for Financial Aid

In Order to Qualify for Financial Aid You Must Meet These Federal, State and Institutional Requirements:

• File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
• Have a valid Social Security Number.
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen (see "Citizenship" below).
• Register with Selective Service, if required.
• Have a high school diploma or a GED.
• Be accepted and enrolled in a degree program, eligible undergraduate certificate program, or a graduate certificate program (See Aid for Eligible Undergraduate Certificate Programs).
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (See Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress).
• Owe no refund on any federal or state educational grant nor be in default on any previous educational loan.
• Submit all of the required documents to the appropriate agency or institution.
• Meet the drug conviction eligibility requirements.

Citizenship

Qualifications and Eligibility for Financial Aid

You qualify to apply for financial aid if you are:

• A U.S. citizen: born in the U. S., a naturalized citizen, or born abroad to parents who are U.S. citizens.
• A U.S. national, including residents of American Samoa and Swain's Island.
• A permanent resident who has a I-151 or I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt) card.

If you are an eligible non-citizen, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security belonging to one of the categories:

• Refugee
• Asylum Granted
• Indefinite Parole and/or Humanitarian Parole
• Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending
• Conditional at Entrant (valid only if issued before April 1980)

Limited Eligibility Categories

Other eligible students include citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau and may be considered for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and/or Federal Work-Study funds.

You do not qualify for federal, state or institutional financial aid if you are:

• An F-1 or F-2 student visa only
• A J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor only
• L-1 or G series visa

If you are in doubt concerning your status, please check with U.S. Department of Homeland Security at-1-202-282-8000, or visit their website at www.dhs.gov.  Other types of aid may be available.