While almost all United States citizens are eligible for federal student loans, there are several things that can disqualifඣy you. These include failing to fill out the Free Appl♏ication for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), not having a high school diploma (or something equivalent to one), and having previously defaulted on a federal student loan.

5 Rea♛sons You May Be Ineligible for Federal Student Loans

Federal student loans typically have fewer restrictions than their private counterparts. For example, most types of federal loans won’t require a credit check. That said, there are still certain eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet, and even if you do, there are also a couple of circumstances that can disqualify you. These include: 

• Neglecting to submit the FAFSA: For 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:each academic year you want to take out student loans, you’ll have to fill out and submit the 澳洲幸运5ܫ官方开奖结果体彩网:Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as this form is used to determine what kinds of need-based financial aid (and how much) you qualify for. You’ll need to include information about yourself as well as your parents, unless you’re an independent student. You’ll also need to approve your federal tax information being transferred directly into your FAFSA form, in addition to signing a statement certifying you haven’t 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:defaulted on a federal student loan, don’t owe money on a federal student grant, and you’ll only use federal student aid for educational purposes.
• Being incarcerated: You are ineligible for federal student loans while you’re confined or incarcerated in a correctional facility. Fortunately, you can still qualify for other forms of federal student aid, and you can become eligible again after you’ve exited incarceration or once you’re on probation, parole, or living in a halfway house.
• Not being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen: In order to get federal student loans, you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen. The latter category includes U.S. nationals; U.S. permanent residents with I-151s, I-551s, or I-551Cs; and certain individuals with Arrival-Departure Records (I-94s) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Additionally, unless you’re from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau, you must have a valid Social Security number (SSN).
• Being unqualified for higher education: Another criterion for student loan eligibility is showing you’re qualified for a college or career school education. This requires either a high school diploma or state-recognized equivalent, completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that is either approved under state law or qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements, or enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and either passing an approved ability-to-benefit test or completing six credit hours, 225 clock hours, or equivalent course work toward a degree or certificate. Additionally, you must be enrolled or accepted as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• Failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress: If you’re already in college or university, you can lose eligibility for next year’s student loans if you aren’t maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school.

How to Become Eligible Again for Student Loans

While you can lose your eligibility for federal student loans, there are alsoဣ a number of options available to you in order to regain it.

For instance, if you’ve 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:defaulted on your student loans, you can either 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:consolidate your existing student loans or rehabilitate them. The requirements for the latter option will vary based on the type of loan you have. Or, if you’re not already a U.S. citizen and are abꦫle to secure the correct paperwork, you can qualify for federal student loans by becoming an eligible noncitizen. If you were an eligible noncitizen but your status expired or was revoked, then you either need to get it reinstated or become a citizen or permanent resident.

If you aren’t maintaining satisfactory academic progress, talk to your school as soon as possible. It can help you enroll in the right number of classes to complete the minimum amount of credits required to regain financial aid eligibility. You may also be able to appeal the decision that rendered you ineligible.

The Bottom Line

Federal studen꧅t loans are generally pretty easy to qualify for, but that doesn’t mean every student will be eligible for them. Meeting the above criteria may better your odds of getting the funding you need for a higher education.