Who Gets Student Aid?

Most people are eligible for financial aid for college or career school. Different types of aid have different rules, called eligibility criteria, to determine who gets the aid.

Below are the eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs. Everyone must meet the basic requirements to qualify for federal student aid; but additional eligibility requirements apply for some people and some situations.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

General eligibility requirements include that you have financial need, are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at your college or career school, and more. There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors—such as the size of your family and your year in school—are taken into account. Make sure you're familiar with the basic eligibility criteria, and ask a college financial aid office if you have any questions about whether you qualify.

Students with a Parent Who Was Killed in Iraq or Afghanistan

If your parent died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, you might be eligible for additional Federal Pell Grant funding or for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Generally, if you have a "green card" (in other words, if you are a permanent resident alien), you will be considered an "eligible noncitizen" and will be able to get federal student aid if you meet the other basic eligibility criteria.

Students with Criminal Convictions

If you are incarcerated, have a conviction for a drug offense, or are subject to an involuntary civil commitment after completing a period of incarceration for a sexual offense, your eligibility for federal student aid may be limited.

Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Students with intellectual disabilities may receive funding from the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study programs in certain circumstances.

Homeless Students

The U.S. Department of Education doesn't provide a financial aid program specifically for students who are homeless. However, homeless students can receive money for college if they meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid.

Here are some resources for students who are homeless:

• Link opens in a new windowFederal Student Aid and Homeless Youth
• Link opens in a new windowFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) dependency status information (Certain homeless students may not have to report parent information on the FAFSA form.)
• Link opens in a new windowI Want to Go to College: Now What?
• Link opens in a new windowIdentifying and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness from Pre-School to Post-Secondary Ages (This page is aimed at professionals assisting homeless students, but students may be interested in a few of the links that provide information about services or offices that can help.)

Students Who Are (or Have Been) in Foster Care

The U.S. Department of Education doesn't provide a financial aid program specifically for students who are (or have been) in foster care. However, such students can receive money for college if they meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid.

Here are some resources for students who are (or have been) in foster care:

• Link opens in a new windowEducational and Training Vouchers for Current and Former Foster Care Youth
• Link opens in a new windowFAFSA® dependency status information (Certain students who are or have been in foster care may not have to report parent information on the FAFSA form.)
• Link opens in a new windowFoster Care Transition Toolkit

Staying Eligible

Once you're in college or career school, make sure you stay eligible for federal student aid by paying attention to a few things, including keeping on track toward graduation. Remember to fill out your FAFSA® form every year at Link opens in a new windowhttps://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.

Regaining Eligibility

You might lose federal student aid eligibility in a number of ways. Some of the most common are that you

• Are in default on a federal student loan
• Don't maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school
• Are convicted of a drug offense

There are other ways you might lose eligibility, but there are ways you can also get your eligibility back.