Student Aid Reference Desk | Student Eligibility

Student Eligibility

Students must meet a number of eligibility criteria to demonstrate the right to public funding of their higher education. Some of these conditions of eligibility are confirmed through the application process by data base matches between the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies; other criteria must be documented and monitored by the school.

Related terms: Administrative Capability; Need Analysis

Statutory Authority

U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter IV—Student Assistance > Part G—General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs § 1091 Student eligibility [HEA § 484]

Regulation

ED References

See subtopics for more specific references.

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1

Publications, Articles & Other Resources

Aiding or Dissuading? The Effects of Reducing Lifetime Eligibility Limits for Need-Based Aid on Bachelor's Degree Attainment and Time to Completion (Research in Higher Education)

Arizona Uncertainty: Arbitrary Barriers in Accessing Institutional Need-Based Financial Aid (Journal of Student Financial Aid)

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Investigating Rates and Patterns of Financial Aid Renewal Among College Freshmen (Research in Higher Education)

It All Adds Up: Examining and Enhancing Campus Climate for Affordability at a Four-Year University (Journal of Student Financial Aid)

Non-U.S. Citizen, Community College Students: Their Federal Student Aid Status, Gender, Achievement, and Persistence at an Emerging HSI (Journal of Student Financial Aid)

Student Eligibility AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&As (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

Student Eligibility Self-Study Guide (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

Uncovering Barriers to Financial Capability: Underrepresented Students’ Access to Financial Resources (Journal of Student Financial Aid)

Subtopics

Academic credentials

General requirement

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Ability to benefit

U.S.C. §1091(d) [HEA § 484(d)]

Part 668, Subpart J

Program Integrity Q&A, Ability-to-Benefit

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Eligible Career Pathway Program

Electronic Announcement, 10/22/15

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Foreign diplomas

Program Integrity Q&A, High School Diploma, FHD-Q2/ FHD-A2

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Home schooled

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 1

Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma

Program Integrity Q&A, High School Diploma RED-Q1/A1 to RED-Q3/A3

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 1

Validity and documentation of high school diploma

Program Integrity Q&A, High School Diploma, DHC-Q1/A1 to DHC-Q4/A4

Program Integrity Q&A, High School Diploma, CVD-Q1/CVD-A1

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 1

Bankruptcy discharges or claims

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Borrowed in excess of loan limits

General requirement

NSLDS information on financial aid history

668.19(a)(4), (5)

Regaining eligibility

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 5

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 4, Ch. 3

Change in eligibility status (gaining or losing eligibility) and NSLDS postscreening

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Citizenship/residency

General requirement

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Children adopted abroad

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Children born abroad (Child Citizenship Act)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Database match, status confirmation, and documentation

Part 668, Subpart I

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Deadline

See Timelines

Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

In U.S. for other than temporary purpose with intent to become citizen or permanent resident

668.33(a)(2)(ii)

Ineligible statuses

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Lost DHS documents

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Native Americans born in Canada (Jay Treaty)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Permanent resident

668.33(a)(2)(i)

Subsequent award years

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Third-step verification and G-845

Electronic Announcement, 10/16/19

Electronic Announcement, 2/14/2019

Electronic Announcement, 8/13/18

Electronic Announcement, 6/27/18

Electronic Announcement, 2/26/18

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Timelines, student rights, and due process

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

U.S. citizen or national

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Violence Against Women Act

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2

Completion of program requirements before receipt of credential

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program

Correspondence courses

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Crimes involving Title IV fraud

General requirement

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Regaining eligibility

Default on a Title IV loan

See also Program-specific additional criteria

General requirement

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Bankruptcy discharge

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

NSLDS information on financial aid history

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Regaining eligibility

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Satisfactory repayment arrangements

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Distance education

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Drug convictions

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Elementary or secondary school enrollment

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program

See also top list entry for Program Eligibility

General requirement

668.32(a)(1)(i)

Acceptance contingent on remedial coursework

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Conditional acceptance

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Continuing education classes

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Definition of regular student

Exception for preparatory coursework

668.32(a)(1)(ii)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Exception for teacher certification

668.32(a)(1)(iii)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Remedial coursework as part of student’s program

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Trial periods that lead to enrollment as a regular student

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

General Educational Development Certificate (GED)

See Academic credentials (Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma)

High school diploma

See Academic credentials

High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)

See Academic credentials (Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma)

Home schooled

See Academic credentials

Incarceration

See program-specific additional criteria (Direct Loan, Pell Grant, and Perkins Loan).

Intellectual disabilities

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Judgment lien

General requirement

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Regaining eligibility

Overpayments owed on Title IV funds

General requirement

Bankruptcy discharge

NSLDS information on financial aid history

Regaining eligibility

Resulting from withdrawal from school

668.22(h)(4), (5)

Program-specific additional criteria

Direct Loan student borrower

General information

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Academic credentials

685.200(a)(1)(v)

Adverse credit test (Grad PLUS only)

685.200(c)(2)(viii)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Default on prior FFEL or Direct Loan

Demonstrated financial need (subsidized Stafford loan only)

685.200(a)(2)(i)(A)

Disability discharge on prior loan or TEACH service obligation mitigated

685.200(a)(1)(iv)

Half-time enrollment minimum

685.200(a)(1)(i)

Incarceration

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Stafford loan eligibility determined (Grad PLUS only)

Subsidy limit (subsidized Stafford loan only)

685.200(a)(2)(i)(B)

Direct Loan parent borrower (PLUS loans)

See top list entry for Direct Loans

FSEOG

General information

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Demonstrated financial need

First baccalaureate

Undergraduate status

FWS

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Pell Grant

General information

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

First baccalaureate degree

668.32(c)(2)(i)

Incarceration

668.32(c)(2)(ii)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Lifetime limit on eligibility

See also Top level entry for Pell Grant, “Duration of Student Eligibility”

Postbaccalaureate teacher education program

Religious orders

Satisfactory academic progress determinations and reversals

Perkins Loan

General information

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Default on prior Direct or FFELP loan mitigated

Default on prior Perkins Loan Program loan mitigated

Electronic Announcement, 9/16/19

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 6, Ch. 5

Demonstrated financial need and religious orders

Disability discharge on prior loan or TEACH service obligation mitigated

674.9(g), (h), (i)

Incarceration

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Provide driver’s license number, if student has one

Willingness to repay loan

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 6, Ch. 5

TEACH Grant

General information

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Agreement to perform service obligation (agreement to serve)

686.11(a)(1)(ii)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Current teacher or retiree qualification

GPA or standardized test requirement

686.11(a)(1)(v)

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6

Intention to complete preparation to teach

686.11(a)(1)(iv)

SAR/ISIR requirement

Transfer student

Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma

See Academic credentials

Retaking a program of study

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Satisfactory academic process (SAP)

See also top list entry for Satisfactory Academic Progress

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

Selective Service registration

General requirement

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5

Database match

General information

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5

Appeal to ED of finding of non-compliance

Exemptions to registration requirement

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5

Failure to register

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5

Selective Service status information letter codes

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5

Social Security number

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 4

State-authorized examinations

See Academic credentials

Statement of Educational Purpose

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

Study abroad

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

TEACH Grant

See also top list entry for Satisfactory Academic Progress

Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)

See Academic credentials (Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma)

Transfer student monitoring

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3

Unusual enrollment history

Electronic Announcement, 1/20/16

2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3