The Guide to Federal Student Aid

FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION

This publication provides basic information on federal student aid to help you pay for college or career school.

STUDENTAID.GOV

Federal Student Aid

An OFFICE of the U.S. DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION

PROUD SPONSOR of the AMERICAN MIND\circledR

What is federal student aid?

It’s money from the federal government—specifically, the U.S. Department of Education—that helps you pay for college or career school, or graduate school expenses. More than $150 billion in federal student aid is available through grants, work-study, and loans every year.

Who gets federal student aid?

Every student who meets certain eligibility requirements can get some type of federal student aid, regardless of age or family income. The most basic eligibility requirements are that you must

• demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
• have a valid Social Security number;
• register (if you haven't already) with Selective Service if you're a male between the ages of 18 and 25;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school; and
• show you're qualified to obtain a college or career school education by
• having a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate or
• completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law.

Find more details about eligibility requirements at StudentAid.gov/eligibility.