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National Application Center :: frequently asked questions

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financial aid

Other Types of Aid

What types of financial aid are there?

Student financial aid programs are generally classified as gift/grant aid and self-help aid. Gift aid is awarded in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and grants that do not have to be repaid. Self-help aid is awarded in the form of work or student employment programs and loans that must be repaid. Most, but not all, financial aid programs are awarded on the basis of financial need. Some programs, particularly scholarships, are awarded on the basis of academic achievement or merit.

What is a Federal Pell Grant?

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, doesn't have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree would include a degree in a field such as pharmacy or dentistry, but only if a prior undergraduate degree was not earned.) For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

If I am not eligible for a Pell Grant, are there other types of financial aid I can receive?

Yes. Many undergraduates who do not qualify for a Federal Pell Grant may still qualify for a state grant or campus-based aid. Grant funds are limited which is why it is so important to submit your financial aid application in a timely manner. Virtually all students can qualify for some form of student loan but should consider the obligations associated with borrowing.

What is campus-based aid?

These federal programs are administered directly by the financial aid office at participating schools. Not all schools are involved with all three programs. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program awards grants, the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program offers jobs, and the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins) Program offers loans. Each participating school receives a limited amount of funds for these programs, so apply early!

What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining federal financial aid?

To receive federal financial aid a student must meet the following criteria:

  • have financial need, except for some loan programs
  • have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or pass an independently administered test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, or meet other standards your state establishes that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education
  • be enrolled as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program (no aid is available for correspondence or telecommunications courses unless they are part of an associate-, bachelor-, or graduate-degree program)
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • have a valid Social Security number
  • make satisfactory academic progress
  • sign a statement of educational purpose/certification on refunds and default (on the Student Aid Report)
  • sign a statement of updated information, if required (on the Student Aid Report)
  • register with the Selective Service System if you are a male between 18 and 25 years of age

What determines financial need?

The information supplied on a completed FAFSA is used in a formula, established by the U.S. Congress, that calculates your expected family contribution (EFC), an amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education. If your EFC is below a certain amount, you qualify for a Federal Pell Grant (if you meet all other requirements). Your financial aid administrator determines your cost of attendance (in most cases, tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, and personal and miscellaneous expenses) and subtracts your EFC. The remaining balance is your financial need. Other sources of financial assistance are subtracted from the cost of attendance before need is determined.

Who is considered a citizen or eligible noncitizen?

You must be one of the following to receive federal student aid:

  • U.S. citizen
  • U.S. national (including natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island)
  • U.S. Permanent Resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Permanent Resident card)

If you do not belong to one of these categories, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) showing one of following designations:

  • Refugee
  • Asylum Granted
  • Aliens paroled into the United States for at least one year
  • Aliens who have been granted a stay of deportation pursuant to 8 USC section 1253(h) due to fear of persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion
  • Conditional Entrant valid if issued before April 1, 1980

Citizens and eligible noncitizens can receive loans from the FFELP and the Direct Loan Program at participating foreign schools.

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Palau are eligible only for Federal Pell Grants, FSEOG and FWS. These applicants should check with their financial aid administrators for more information.