How do I qualify for a student loan?

In order to qualify for a student loan, students must meet the following requirements: 

• demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
• have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• be fully admitted to an eligible degree or certificate program;
• be enrolled at least half-time in eligible courses;
• maintain all three Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid;
• sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) stating that
  • you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and
  • you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and
• show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by
  • having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate; 
  • completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law)

More information can be found on our website.