When making plans to apply for federal student aid, the first thing to learn about is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or better known as FAFSA. This is a free form provided online by the U.S. Department of Education, which administers the different types of federal student aid offered by the government.
Create an FSA ID to Access the FAFSA
An applicant must first register with the Federal Student Aid (FSA) U.S DepEd website to create a password-protected user account. The FSA ID serves as a single signing-in identification when accessing the FAFSA document and other financial aid pages of the U.S. DepEd customer-facing website. Once an FSA ID account has been created, an applicant can now access and fill up the FAFSA form.
Basic Eligibility Requirements to Qualify for Financial Student Aid
In evaluating a FAFSA, the FSA US DepEd will look into the following information to determine if an applicant is eligible to receive Financial Student Aid.
A demonstration of financial need is necessary, when applying for a Direct Subsidized Loan that provides financial assistance to undergraduate students seeking to enroll in a college or career institution. Here, a student must specify the significant reason why his or her family cannot afford to pay for college or career education. Examples of reason include loss of a parent, or loss of employment either by the student or by the breadwinner of the family.
To further demonstrate one’s financial incapacity, statements must include descriptions of the student’s job or of a parent’s employment, about schooling of other siblings, and discussion of any unexpected expenses of the family. All of which will make clear the direct impact of the cost of higher learning on the family’s overall income. Take note not to make false statements because any that has been verified as falsehood is punishable.
U.S. Citizenship or Eligibility as Non-Citizen Residing in the U.S.
A birth certificate showing that the applicant is a natural born U.S. citizen suffices as proof of U.S. citizenship.
On the other, a non-citizen may be documented by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS, by way of a “green card” such as a Resident Card, Resident Alien Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card. Other non-citizen types like refugees, asylum seekers or other legally recognized entrants will have either an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94), or a T-Visa, and a certification letter issued to them by the USCIS as proof of approved entry.
Other Basic Requirements
* Valid Social Security Card/Number (not applicable to nationals of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau).
* High school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
* Male applicants aged 18 to 25 must be registered with Selective Service;
* Has enrolled or already accepted as enrollee for an eligible degree or certificate program and must be enrolled at least half-time as a regular student.
* Has maintained satisfactory academic performance in college or career institute.
* Must be able to certify the portion of the FAFSA stating that he or she (student) is not in default of any federal student loan or has no financial obligation under the federal student grant.
Needless to say, inability to satisfy or complete any of the basic eligibility requirements stalls the processing of an application for financial student aid at the very onset.