Who can get federal student aid?

For most federal student aid programs, you must show that you have financial need. Your financial need is determined based on what you report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you're not yet ready to file the FAFSA, you can submit a FAFSA4caster to receive an early estimate of eligibility.

You also must meet certain other requirements. You must:

• Be a U.S. citizen (or U.S. national) or eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you're from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
• Register with Selective Service, if you are male and 18 to 25 years of age (go to www.sss.gov for more information)
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate or pass an exam approved by the U.S. Department of Education
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a college that participates in the federal student aid programs
• Not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, loans, or work-study)

Once you are attending college, other requirements will apply. For more information, contact the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.

Who is an eligible noncitizen?

You are an eligible noncitizen if you are a U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551 or I-551C (Permanent Resident Card).

You may also be an eligible noncitizen if you have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing

• "Refugee,"
• "Asylum Granted,"
• "Cuban-Haitian Entrant (Status Pending),"
• "Conditional Entrant" (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980),
• "Paroled" (must be paroled for at least one year), or
• Victim of human trafficking (T-Visa).

If you are a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, you are eligible only for certain federal student aid programs. For more information, check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.

You are not eligible for federal student aid if you have:

• A "Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence" (I-171 or I-464),
• An F-1 or F-2 student visa,
• A J-1 or J-2 exchange-visitor visa, or
• A G series visa.

What if I'm not a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen?

There are still some sources of aid for you. Try the following places:

• The college you plan to attend; maybe they have scholarships for international students
• Your country's government, or its embassy in the United States
• Internet scholarship searches such as the one at https://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship
• Your state government, if you live in the United States
• Your high school counselor, if you are in high school; maybe they know about funding for international students