Federal Student Aid Programs

Selection of Eligible Applicants

In accordance with Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 668.43(B)(3), the following procedures describe how aid recipients are selected from the pool of eligible applicants.

Federal Financial Aid Eligibility

To be eligible for federal student aid, you must:

• Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program of study at least on a half-time basis;
• Have a high school diploma or the equivalent;
• Not be convicted of certain federal or state drug convictions;
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
• Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress;
• Sign statements on the FAFSA that you are not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a Federal student grant, and you will use Federal student aid only for educational purposes;
• Register for the Selective Service, if a male born after December 31, 1959; and
• Have a valid Social Security number.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need who have not previously earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Grants are a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. 

Eligibility is determined by the student's financial need as evidenced by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA, the cost of attendance, and the amount of money appropriated by Congress to fund the program. See www.studentaid.gov for current amounts.

Awards are re-evaluated annually based on the FAFSA, which must be submitted every year.

For many students, the Federal Pell Grant provides a “foundation” of financial aid to which other aid may be added to defray the cost of a college education. Students or prospective students may secure an application to participate in the Federal Pell Grant program from the Office of Financial Aid or from a high school counselor.

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

The Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a type of grant available to students with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients take priority. Funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards are re-evaluated annually based on the FAFSA.

Federal Direct Loans

Eligible students and their parents may borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the cost of their college education. Federal loans include Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans. All of these loans require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Once approved for a federal loan, the borrower(s) must complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN.)

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans

Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need, as demonstrated by the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA. Fixed interest on the loans is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Education while the student is enrolled at least half time. There is a six-month repayment grace period following graduation. Origination fees are deducted proportionately from each disbursement and paid to the federal government.

For information on the annual limit for subsidized loans and the total maximum indebtedness for dependent and independent students, please contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit www.studentaid.gov.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized Direct loans are the same as Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, except that they do not require the student to demonstrate financial need. The term “unsubsidized” means that interest is not paid by the U.S. Department of Education for the student during the “in-school” period. Payments may be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half time and for a period of six months after that date. The student is also charged an origination fee on the amount of the unsubsidized loan. The fee is deducted proportionately from each disbursement.

Direct Plus Loans

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is a credit-based loan available to parents of dependent students to help them pay for the educational expenses of their student. Parents can borrow up to the total cost of attendance minus all other financial aid received per eligible dependent student. There is an origination fee on a PLUS loan. The payment schedule is determined by the total amount borrowed. Payments may be deferred while the dependent student is enrolled at least half time and for a period of six months after that date. Interest does accrue on this loan while the student is in school.  For information on federal student aid programs, visit: www.studentaid.gov.