It has recently come to NASFAA's attention that there may be some confusion in the community regarding the consequences faced by persons who do not register with the Selective Service Administration.

The Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 462) provides that any person who is required to register with Selective Service and fails to do so is not eligible for Title IV financial aid. This general student eligibility requirement became effective for periods of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 1983.

Men who are at least 18 years old, were born after December 31, 1959, and are not currently on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces must register with Selective Service. This includes male U.S. citizens (regardless of where they live) and certain groups of noncitizens (male immigrants residing in the U.S.).

Certain groups of individuals are exempt from the registration requirement. A list of exempted individuals may be found in 34 CFR 668.37(a)(2) as well as in Volume 1, Chapter 5, of the 2008-09 Federal Student Aid Handbook. Individuals whom a financial aid administrator can document did not knowingly and willfully fail to register may waive the criterion and award the student the aid for which he is eligible.

NASFAA has confirmed with the Selective Service Administration that persons who do not register with Selective Service lose only their eligibility for federal financial aid. Such individuals remain eligible to receive other federal benefits, such as those provided by the Social Security Administration.

By Jennifer Martin
NASFAA Assistant Director for Professional Assessment, Training, and Regulatory Assistance

Posted 03/04/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.