To be considered for federal and state financial aid programs, financial aid applicants must meet the following general requirements:
Be a U.S. Citizen or an Eligible Non-Citizen
An eligible non-citizen is a U.S. permanent resident who has documentation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) verifying permanent residency in the United States. Acceptable documentation for U.S. Citizen includes:
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Birth Abroad (Form FS-454, DS-1350, or FS-240)
- U.S. Passport
Acceptable documentation for permanent residents includes:
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
- Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-151)
- Foreign passport (Must be stamped; Processed for I-551 with an expiration date)
- I-94 (Must be stamped; Processed for I-551 with an expiration date, or Temporary Form I-551 with appropriate information filled in, Arrival-Departure Record Form I-94 (Must be stamped as a Refugee, Asylum Status, Conditional Entrant (before April 1, 1980), Parolee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant
Defaulted Loan
Not be in default on any student loans such as Federal Perkins loan, Federal Stafford loan, Federal Direct loan at any previously attended colleges or universities.
Drugs
Have not been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs.
Enrollment in an Eligible Academic Program
Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible certificat, associates degree, or transfer program.
Financial Need
Demonstrate financial need, which is determined by the applicant's Cost of Attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), on the financial aid application.
High School Graduate
Must either 1) be a high school graduate, 2) passed a high school proficiency examination, 3) passed the General Education Development (GED) test, or 4) successfully completed a two-year program (minimum 48 units) that is acceptable for full credit towards a bachelor’s degree. Applicants who have not done either of the above may take an independently administered test that is approved by the Secretary of the Department of Education in order to meet this high school graduation requirement.
Not Owe Refund or Repayment
Not owe a refund or repayment on a Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) or Cal Grant programs.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Be making satisfactory academic progress in a course of study leading to an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, Certificate, or transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.
Selective Service
Male students between the ages of 18 and 26 years must register with the Selective Service.
Social Security Number
Have a valid social security number.
