Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

General Requirements for Federal & State Aid

Financial aid eligibility requirements are the rules and conditions you need to meet to qualify for and continue receiving financial aid. These requirements can vary based on the type of aid (like grants, loans, or scholarships), but here are the general eligibility requirements.

• Valid FAFSA Application: You need to complete and submit your FAFSA each year to be considered for aid.
• Verification Process: If selected for FAFSA verification, you’ll need to provide additional documents (like tax transcripts) to confirm your application’s accuracy.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent: You must have a high school diploma, GED, or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) .
• Enrollment in an Eligible Program: You must be enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program that qualifies for financial aid. Short-term training, apprenticeship programs, and continuing education classes do not qualify for financial aid.
• Enrollment in Eligible Courses: Financial aid only covers classes required for your current degree, diploma, or certificate program. Use your Degree Audit to track your progress and ensure your courses align with your program requirements.
• Minimum Credit Hours: Some types of aid require you to be enrolled and attending at least half-time (usually 6 credits) or full-time.
• Financial Need: For need-based aid, like Pell Grants, your eligibility is based on your financial situation as determined by the FAFSA.
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): You need to maintain a minimum GPA, complete a certain percentage of your classes, and finish your program within a set timeframe. Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• No Default or Loan Overpayment: You can’t be in default on federal student loans or owe a repayment on a federal grant or loan.
• U.S. Citizenship or Eligible Non-Citizen Status: You must be a U.S. citizen or meet specific non-citizen criteria to qualify for federal aid. When your FAFSA is processed, the system checks your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration to confirm your citizenship, and it also verifies your permanent address with the Department of Homeland Security. If something doesn’t match—like your name, Social Security number, or address—you won’t qualify for financial aid until the issue is resolved.
• Residency Requirements: For state-specific aid or scholarships, you need to meet residency criteria (e.g., living in Iowa for a certain period).

Helpful Articles from Federal Student Aid

• Basic Eligibility Criteria
• Staying Eligible
• Regaining Eligibility