FAQs: Eligibility
- Who is eligible to receive federal student aid?
- Can I use FAFSA on the Web to estimate my Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?
- How much financial aid am I eligible to receive?
- I have my EFC. How much money will I receive?
- I've been convicted of a drug offense. Does this mean I won't get any aid?
- What is an acceptable drug rehabilitation program?
Who is eligible to receive Federal Student Aid?
To receive federal student aid, you must meet certain requirements.
You must:
- Be a U.S. citizen 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).
- Be registered 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 school 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).
Also:
- You must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
- You must demonstrate financial need (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans).
Other requirements may apply. Contact your school’s financial aid office for more information.
Can I use FAFSA on the Web to estimate my Expected Family
Contribution (EFC)?
Yes. You can use FAFSA on the Web to calculate your estimated EFC.
The estimated EFC will print on the confirmation page after you
submit the application.
We will calculate an official EFC once we receive all required
signatures and process your FAFSA. Your
official EFC
will be on your Student Aid Report (SAR).
How much financial aid am I eligible to receive?
Your eligibility for aid depends on your Expected Family Contribution
(EFC), your year in school, your enrollment status, and the cost of
attendance at the school you will be attending. Your school’s
financial aid office will tell you how much you can receive.
For more information on eligibility, visit the financial aid office
at your school or look at “Funding Education Beyond High
School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid” at
studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
I have my EFC. How much money will I receive?
The financial aid office at your school will use your Expected Family
Contribution (EFC) and other information to determine the amount of
financial aid for which you are eligible. A financial aid award is
determined by each school based on your eligibility and the cost of
attendance for your program.
I’ve been convicted of a drug offense. Does this mean I
won’t get any aid?
The question on the FAFSA regarding drug offenses asks about
convictions for possessing or selling illegal drugs (not including
alcohol and tobacco) if the offense occurred during a period of
enrollment for which you were receiving federal student aid (grants,
loans, and/or work-study). When answering this question, do not
count convictions that have been removed from your record. Also,
do not count convictions that occurred before you turned 18,
unless you were tried as an adult.
Drug Conviction Worksheet
- To determine whether a drug offense affects your eligibility click here to go to the Drug Conviction Worksheet.
After you fill out the Drug Conviction Worksheet, your responses will result in one of these answers:
| Answer | Means |
|---|---|
| 1, No | Eligible. Your eligibility for federal student aid is not affected. |
| 2, Yes (partially during the year) | Partially eligible. You will become eligible for federal aid during the school year. You can become eligible earlier in the school year if you complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program. |
| 3, Yes/Don't Know | Ineligible / don't know. You are not eligible for federal aid for this school year unless you complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program. You may still be eligible for state and school aid. |
Even if you are not eligible for federal aid, you may be eligible for
state aid or aid from your school financial aid office. If you become
eligible for federal financial aid (for example, if your eligibility
date arrives or if you complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation
program), notify the financial aid administrator at your school. If
you are convicted of possessing or selling drugs after you submit your
FAFSA, you must notify your financial aid administrator immediately.
You will lose your eligibility and be required to pay back all aid you
received after your conviction.
If you have further questions, refer to the
Customer Service page.
What is an acceptable drug rehabilitation program?
An acceptable drug rehabilitation program must include two unannounced drug tests. It must also:
- Be qualified to receive funds from federal, state, or local government, or a state-licensed insurance company.
Or- Be administered or recognized by a federal, state, or local government agency or court, or a state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.
If you have further questions, refer to the Customer Service page.
