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 topics in this Index: 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 F—General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs § 1091 Student eligibility [HEA § 484]
Regulations
- 668.32
ED References
See subtopics for more specific references.
- 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1
NASFAA Publications and Articles
- NASFAA AskRegs Knowledgebase
  Search or browse the Knowledgebase for answers to regulatory and compliance questions submitted by financial aid administrators.
- NASFAA Compliance Engine
  The Compliance Engine is comprised of two modules: the Self-Evaluation Checklists which allows administrators to evaluate their programs in a centralized, shared online space, and the P&P Builder, a tool designed to assist institutions in the creation and maintenance of a policies and procedures manual. Along with an online space to update and maintain policies and procedures, the P&P Builder includes legislation and regulation associated with compliance with Title IV requirements.
- NASFAA U Authorized Events
  NASFAA U Authorized Events are a comprehensive set of instructional materials for teaching financial aid concepts to groups of individuals. Materials include a study guide, instructor guide and accompanying presentation slides.
- NASFAA U Online Courses
  NASFAA U Online Courses are collaborative learning sessions bring minds and ideas together despite distances. Online courses help you become more proficient, more knowledgeable, and more valuable to your organization, to interact with your colleagues through required discussions, and offer you the option to work towards earning a professional credential from NASFAA.
- NASFAA U Self-Study Guides
  NASFAA U Self-Study Guides are written for the independent learner. Each Self-Study Guide includes multiple lessons with a variety of exercises to reinforce each lesson. Individuals do independent study and take quizzes in a traditional paper format (not online). Then you can qualify to take a test and earn a professional credential.
Subtopics
- Academic credentials
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(e)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Ability to benefit
    
    U.S.C. §1091(d) [HEA § 484(d)]
    
    Part 668, Subpart J
    
    GEN-16-09
    
    GEN-12-09
    
    Program Integrity Q&A, Ability-to-Benefit
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
    
    Eligible Career Pathway Program
    
    GEN-16-09
    
    GEN-15-09
    
    GEN-15-02
    
    Electronic Announcement, 10/22/15
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Foreign diplomas
    
    Program Integrity Q&A, High School Diploma, FHD-Q2/ FHD-A2
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Home schooled
    
    668.32(e)(4)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 1
  - Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma
    
    600.2
    
    GEN-14-06
    
    Program Integrity Q&A, High School Diploma RED-Q1/A1 to RED-Q3/A3
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 1
  - Validity and documentation of high school diploma
    
    GEN-12-03
    
    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
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 1
- Bankruptcy discharges or claims
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
- Borrowed in excess of loan limits
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(g)(2)
  - NSLDS information on financial aid history
    
    668.19(a)(4), (5)
  - Regaining eligibility
    
    668.35(d)
    
    GEN-13-02
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 5
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 4, Ch. 3
- Change in eligibility status (gaining or losing eligibility) and NSLDS postscreening
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
- Citizenship/residency
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(d)
    
    668.33
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Children adopted abroad
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Children born abroad (Child Citizenship Act)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Database match, status confirmation, and documentation
    
    668.33(c)
    
    Part 668, Subpart I
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Deadline
    
    See Timelines
  - Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands)
    
    2019-20 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
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Lost DHS documents
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Native Americans born in Canada (Jay Treaty)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Permanent resident
    
    668.33(a)(2)(i)
  - Subsequent award years
    
    2019-20 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
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Timelines, student rights, and due process
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - U.S. citizen or national
    
    668.33(a)(1)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
  - Violence Against Women Act
    
    GEN-10-07
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 2
- Completion of program requirements before receipt of credential
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
- Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program
  - 668.32(n)
- Correspondence courses
  - 668.38
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Crimes involving Title IV fraud
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(m)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
  - Regaining eligibility
    
    668.35(i)
- Default on a Title IV loan
  See also Program-specific additional criteria
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(g)(1)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
  - Bankruptcy discharge
    
    668.35(h)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
  - NSLDS information on financial aid history
    
    668.19(a)(1)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
  - Regaining eligibility
    
    668.35(a), (b)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
  - Satisfactory repayment arrangements
    
    668.35(a)(2)
    
    668.35(b)(2)
    
    668.35(c)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
- Distance education
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Drug convictions
- Elementary or secondary school enrollment
  - 668.32(b)
  - 2019-20 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
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Conditional acceptance
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Continuing education classes
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Definition of regular student
    
    600.2
  - Exception for preparatory coursework
    
    668.32(a)(1)(ii)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
  - Exception for teacher certification
    
    668.32(a)(1)(iii)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Remedial coursework as part of student’s program
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Trial periods that lead to enrollment as a regular student
    
    GEN-11-12
    
    2019-20 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
  - 668.233
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Judgment lien
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(g)(3)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
  - Regaining eligibility
    
    668.35(f)
- Overpayments owed on Title IV funds
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(g)(4)
  - Bankruptcy discharge
    
    668.35(h)
  - NSLDS information on financial aid history
    
    668.19(a)(2)
  - Regaining eligibility
    
    668.35(e)
    
    668.35(g)
  - Resulting from withdrawal from school
    
    668.22(h)(4), (5)
- Program-specific additional criteria
  - Direct Loan student borrower
    
    General information
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Academic credentials
    
    685.200(a)(1)(v)
    
    685.200(b)(3)
    
    Adverse credit test (Grad PLUS only)
    
    685.200(b)(5)
    
    685.200(c)(2)(viii)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Default on prior FFEL or Direct Loan
    
    685.200(d)
    
    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)
    
    685.200(b)(3)
    
    Half-time enrollment minimum
    
    668.32(a)(2)
    
    685.200(a)(1)(i)
    
    685.200(b)(1)
    
    Incarceration
    
    668.32(c)(3)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
    
    Stafford loan eligibility determined (Grad PLUS only)
    
    685.200(b)(5)
    
    Subsidy limit (subsidized Stafford loan only)
    
    685.200(a)(2)(i)(B)
    
    685.200(f)
  - Direct Loan parent borrower (PLUS loans)
    
    See top list entry for Direct Loans
  - FSEOG
    
    General information
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Demonstrated financial need and religious orders
    
    676.9(c)
    
    First baccalaureate
    
    668.32(c)(1)
    
    Undergraduate status
    
    676.9(b)
  - FWS
    
    675.9(c)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
  - Pell Grant
    
    General information
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    First baccalaureate degree
    
    668.32(c)(2)(i)
    
    690.6(a), (b)
    
    Incarceration
    
    668.32(c)(2)(ii)
    
    GEN-14-21
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Lifetime limit on eligibility
    
    See also Top level entry for Pell Grant, “Duration of Student Eligibility”
    
    690.6(e)
    
    Postbaccalaureate teacher education program
    
    690.6(c), (d)
    
    Religious orders
    
    690.75(d)
    
    Satisfactory academic progress determinations and reversals
    
    690.75(b)
  - Perkins Loan
    
    General information
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Default on prior Direct or FFELP loan mitigated
    
    674.9(k)
    
    Default on prior Perkins Loan Program loan mitigated
    
    674.9(j)
    
    Electronic Announcement, 9/16/19
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 6, Ch. 5
    
    Demonstrated financial need and religious orders
    
    674.9(c)
    
    Disability discharge on prior loan or TEACH service obligation mitigated
    
    674.9(g), (h), (i)
    
    Incarceration
    
    668.32(c)(3)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
    
    Provide driver’s license number, if student has one
    
    674.9(f)
    
    Willingness to repay loan
    
    674.9(e)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 6, Ch. 5
  - TEACH Grant
    
    General information
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Agreement to perform service obligation (agreement to serve)
    
    686.11(a)(1)(ii)
    
    686.12(a)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Current teacher or retiree qualification
    
    686.2, Retiree
    
    686.11(b)
    
    GPA or standardized test requirement
    
    686.11(a)(1)(v)
    
    686.11(a)(2)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 6
    
    Intention to complete preparation to teach
    
    686.11(a)(1)(iv)
    
    SAR/ISIR requirement
    
    686.20
    
    Transfer student
    
    686.11(c)
- Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma
  See Academic credentials
- Retaking a program of study
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Satisfactory academic process (SAP)
  See also top list entry for Satisfactory Academic Progress
  - 668.32(f)
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Selective Service registration
  - General requirement
    
    668.32(j)
    
    668.37
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5
  - Database match
    
    General information
    
    668.37(b), (c)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5
    
    Appeal to ED of finding of non-compliance
    
    668.37(f)
  - Exemptions to registration requirement
    
    668.37(a)(2)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5
  - Failure to register
    
    668.37(d), (e)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5
  - Selective Service status information letter codes
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 5
- Social Security number
- State-authorized examinations
  See Academic credentials
- Statement of Educational Purpose
- Study abroad
- TEACH Grant
  See also top list entry for Satisfactory Academic Progress
  - 686.11
- Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)
  See Academic credentials (Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma)
- Transfer student monitoring
  - 668.19(b)
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 3
- Unusual enrollment history

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Student Eligibility

Statutory Authority

Regulations

ED References

NASFAA Publications and Articles

Subtopics

Academic credentials

General requirement

Ability to benefit

Eligible Career Pathway Program

Foreign diplomas

Home schooled

Recognized equivalent of a high school diploma

Validity and documentation of high school diploma

Bankruptcy discharges or claims

Borrowed in excess of loan limits

General requirement

NSLDS information on financial aid history

Regaining eligibility

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

Citizenship/residency

General requirement

Children adopted abroad

Children born abroad (Child Citizenship Act)

Database match, status confirmation, and documentation

Deadline

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

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

Ineligible statuses

Lost DHS documents

Native Americans born in Canada (Jay Treaty)

Permanent resident

Subsequent award years

Third-step verification and G-845

Timelines, student rights, and due process

U.S. citizen or national

Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act

Violence Against Women Act

Completion of program requirements before receipt of credential

Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program

Correspondence courses

Crimes involving Title IV fraud

General requirement

Regaining eligibility

Default on a Title IV loan

General requirement

Bankruptcy discharge

NSLDS information on financial aid history

Regaining eligibility

Satisfactory repayment arrangements

Distance education

Drug convictions

Elementary or secondary school enrollment

Enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program

General requirement

Acceptance contingent on remedial coursework

Conditional acceptance

Continuing education classes

Definition of regular student

Exception for preparatory coursework

Exception for teacher certification

Remedial coursework as part of student’s program

Trial periods that lead to enrollment as a regular student

General Educational Development Certificate (GED)

High school diploma

High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) )

Home schooled

Incarceration

Intellectual disabilities

Judgment lien

General requirement

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

Program-specific additional criteria