U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Programs
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, offers over $80 billion
dollars in financial aid that help millions of students manage the cost of education each year.
There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study and loans. Even if you are
still on active duty, you can apply for aid such as Pell Grants or Federal Stafford Loans. Find out
more by visiting
http://www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/.
Applying for Federal Student Aid
You can get this aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You
can apply online or on paper, but filing online is faster and easier. Get further instructions on
the application process at
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. You should also
apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN (if you haven’t done so already). The PIN allows you to sign
your application electronically, which speeds up the application process even more. Apply for a PIN
at
http://www.pin.ed.gov/.
Filling out the FAFSA
There is a series of eight questions on the application that ask about your dependency
status. If you are a veteran, or are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for
purposes other than training, you are considered an independent student and would only include your
information (and that of your spouse, if married). For more detailed information go to
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Federal Student Aid Eligibility
Eligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors.
The financial aid administrator at the college or career school you plan to attend will determine
your eligibility.
To receive aid from our programs, you must
- demonstrated financial need (except for certain loans—your school can explain which loans are
not need based).
- have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test
approved by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards your state establishes that the
Department approves, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is
treated as such under state law.
- be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
- 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).
- register with the Selective Service if required. You can use the paper or electronic FAFSA to
register, you can register at
http://www.sss.gov/, or you can call
1-847-688-6888. (TTY users can call 1-847-688-2567.)
- maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.
- certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal
student grant.
- certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
Financial Aid Planning
Federal Student Aid has a new tool called
FAFSA4caster, designed to help students and their families plan for college. The
FAFSA4caster provides students with an early estimate of their eligibility for federal
student financial assistance. Military dependents who are enrolled in college and are eligible to
receive Pell Grants should check out our two newest programs: Academic Competitiveness Grants and
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (National SMART Grants). Visit our
website at
http://www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov for more information.
Date Last Reviewed: June 29, 2009
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