Federal Student Aid is money that come from the federal government – specifically from the Federal Department of Education. Federal Student Aid is available to those who qualify. For more information, visit studentloans.gov
WHO RECEIVES FEDERAL STUDENT AID?
Our most basic eligibility requirements are that you must:
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Register with Selective Service (if you haven’t already and are male between the ages of 18 and 25)
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in a postsecondary school and show you are qualified to obtain a postsecondary education by:
1. Having a high school diploma or HiSET equivalency certificate
2. Completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law
TYPES OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE
Federal Pell Grant - Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student aid. These grants are awarded based on a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), Cost of Attendance, Enrollment Status and are need based. Award amounts are not affected by other aid sources.
Federal Student Loans - Federal Student Loans are available as a subsidized, unsubsidized or a combination of both types. Students are not required to make payments on either type of loan while enrolled at least half time at an eligible educational institution. However, students may choose to make regular or interest-only payments while enrolled.
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- Subsidized - Student Loans are awarded based on a student's demonstrated financial need. These loans are interest free while the student is enrolled at least halftime at an eligible educational institution or during authorized grace and deferment periods. Interest is charged when the loan is in a repayment or forbearance status.
- Unsubsidized - Student Loans are awarded regardless of each student's demonstrated financial need. These loans begin to generate interest charges immediately after disbursement. These charges may be deferred during at least half-time enrollment, grace and deferment periods, but they will be capitalized (added to the outstanding loan balance).
Federal PLUS Loans - PLUS Loans are federal loans that graduate, professional degree students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay education expenses. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible borrowers through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
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- Eligibility for a PLUS Loan To qualify for a PLUS loan, the student for whom the funds are intended must be attending school on at least a half-time basis in an approved program. Eligibility is also based on the borrower's creditworthiness. Students whose parents are unable to obtain credit approval for a PLUS loan may qualify for additional funding through the Federal Student Loan program.
HOW DO I GET FEDERAL STUDENT AID?
APPLY FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
- Discover how to apply for Federal Student Aid and other important activities to maximize your eligibility.
COMPLETE VERIFICATION
- If you are selected by the federal government for verification, you can discover how to navigate the verification process.
UNDERSTAND FINANCIAL NEED & COSTS
- An overview of financial need, the cost of attendance, and the net price calculator to determine how much it may cost you to attend.