Who is eligible for federal student financial aid?

Most people are eligible for some form of student financial aid, even if just for low-interest loans. To determine if you are eligible, you must file a FAFSA. However, following is a checklist you can use to determine if you may be eligible even before filing a FAFSA. If all of the following apply to you, you can take that as a good predictor that you will be eligible for at least one form of financial aid for higher education:

• The student has received their high school diploma or GED certificate (General Education Development). The equivalent of a high school education completed in a home school setting is also acceptable, as determined by the law in your state.
• You have a Social Security Number that is valid.
• You agree that any financial aid received will only be used for educational expenses.
• You are a valid citizen of the US, a permanent US resident with a valid Permanent Resident Card, or a US national. In other cases, you may receive financial aid if you are an eligible non-citizen.
• If the student is a male between the ages of 18 and 25, they must agree to let the FAFSA register them with the US Selective Service, or they must already be registered.
• You do not owe a refund on a federal student grant, and you are not in default on a federal student loan.