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Have a high school diploma or a General
Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved
by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards
your state establishes that the Department approves, or
complete a high school education in a home school setting
that is treated as such under state law.
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Be working toward a degree or certificate
in an eligible program.
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Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
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Have a valid Social Security Number.
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Register with the Selective Service,
if required.
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Maintain satisfactory academic progress
once in school.
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Certify that you are not in default
on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal
student grant.
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Certify that you will use federal student
aid only for educational purposes.
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Demonstrate financial need (for need-based
programs only).
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“Financial need” is for
a subsidized Stafford Loan is determined by the school.
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The student must have applied for
a Pell Grant to be eligible for the Perkins Loan. This
is done automatically when you file the FAFSA form.
The financial-aid offers you receive from schools will
tell you if you're eligible. The schools themselves
make Perkins loans, but each institution's loan pool
is funded with federal money — and with repayments
from graduates.
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If you've been convicted under federal
or state law of selling or possessing illegal drugs, you
may not be eligible for student loans or federal student aid.
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Incarcerated students are generally
only eligible for a Pell Grant student loan if they are not incarcerated
in a federal or state penal institution.
