To receive financial aid assistance, you must:

• display a need for financial aid (except for unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans).
  
  
• complete high school and have been awarded a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate.
  
  
• pass a college entrance exam approved by the U.S. Department of Education, and/or meet other standards your state may establish.
  
  link to view state requirements:
  http://www.ed.gov/Programs/bastmp/SHEA.htm

• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working at least half-time toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
  
  
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  
  
• have a valid Social Security number:
  
  link to obtain SSN:
  http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html
  
  
• make satisfactory academic progress.

• sign a statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes:
  
  see our notes on FAFSA form submission:
  see FAFSA links
  
  
• sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant.
  
  
• register with the Selective Service (for young men age 18 and over):
  
  you can register online:
  http://www.sss.gov/