Federal student aid usually requires that you be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, have a valid Social Security number in most cases, and be enrolled or accepted in an eligible degree or certificate program. You also generally need to show financial need for need-based aid, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and not be in default on a federal student loan or owe money on a federal grant.

Quick criteria

To qualify for federal financial aid, you typically must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  • Have a valid Social Security number, with some exceptions.
  • Have a high school diploma, GED, or another recognized equivalent in many cases.
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress once you are in school.
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe money on a federal grant.
  • Submit the FAFSA, since it is the main application used to determine eligibility.

Other common rules

Some aid programs have extra requirements. For example, Direct Loans generally require at least half-time enrollment, and male students may need to be registered with Selective Service if they are required to do so.

Important note

Income alone does not disqualify you from all federal aid, but it can affect need-based aid such as Pell Grants and work-study. Eligibility can also vary by program and school, so your financial aid office is the final checkpoint for your specific situation.

If you want, I can also turn this into a short FAQ or a simple checklist for FAFSA eligibility.