Federal Student Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for the academic year include:

• Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Receive an application confirmation notice from the Department of Education
• Comply with behavior and health policies of the College
• Make satisfactory academic progress
• Meet the standards for the specific award
• Assume the Student Responsibilities as outlined in the College Catalog and Student Handbook

Federal Student Eligibility

• Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in eligible program of study
• Must be pursuing degree, certificate, or other recognized credential
• Must be U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Must be registered with Selective Service (if male and required)
• May not have eligibility suspended or terminated due to being convicted of a drug-free offense
• Must have valid Social Security Number (SSN)
• Must not be in default on a federal student loan
• Must not owe an overpayment of federal grant or loan funds
• Must be making satisfactory academic progress (as defined by school)

Loss of Title IV Federal Student Aid

A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify students for Title IV Federal Student Aid funds at other institutions.

Convictions only count if they were for an offense that occurred during a period of enrollment for which a student was receiving Title IV Federal Student Aid Funds--they do not count if the offense was not during such a period.  Also, a conviction that was reversed, set aside, or removed from the student's record does not count, nor does one received when the student was a juvenile, unless the student was tried as an adult.

The chart below illustrates the period of ineligibility for Title IV Federal Student Aid funds, depending on whether the conviction was for sale or possession and whether the student had previous offenses.  A conviction for sale of drugs includes convictions for conspiring to sell drugs.

If the student was convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs, and the periods of ineligibility are different, the student will be ineligible for the longer period.

The student regains eligibility the day after the period of ineligibility ends or when the student successfully completes a qualified drug rehabilitation program or when the student passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program which meets regulatory criteria.  Further drug convictions will make the student ineligible again.