The FAFSA is open to most U.S. students, but the federal government has specific rules about who can receive money

To fill out the FAFSA, you must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident with a valid Social Security number. You also need a high school diploma, GED, or completion of an approved homeschool program. If you are enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an accredited college, university, or career school, you can submit the form.

Being able to fill out the FAFSA does not automatically mean you will receive federal aid. The Department of Education uses your FAFSA answers to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — the amount your family is considered able to pay. Schools then use that number to decide how much aid to offer you. Your actual aid depends on the school's cost, your family's income and assets, and the type of aid available at that institution.

Some students can fill out the FAFSA but will not receive aid because their family's financial situation puts them above the income or asset limits for certain programs. Others may receive only loans rather than grants. The FAFSA itself has no income cutoff — but individual aid programs do.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident with a Social Security number to complete the FAFSA.
  • You need a high school diploma, GED, or approved homeschool completion to be considered for federal aid.
  • Filling out the FAFSA does not may provide aid; the government calculates what your family can pay, and schools decide what to offer based on that number and their own funds.
  • Income limits exist for some aid programs but not for the FAFSA form itself — you can submit it regardless of family income.
  • You must be enrolled in an accredited degree or certificate program at a school that participates in federal aid programs.

Citizenship and residency requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or national to receive federal student aid. Permanent residents (green card holders) also may have access to. If you have a valid visa but are not a permanent resident, you cannot receive federal aid, though you may be able to borrow through private lenders or attend schools that offer their own aid to international students.

You will need a Social Security number to complete the FAFSA. If you are a permanent resident without a Social Security number, you can apply for one through the Social Security Administration before you submit the form. The FAFSA will not process without this number.

Some states offer aid to undocumented students through state-funded programs, but these are separate from federal aid. Check your state's higher education agency website to learn what may be available where you live.

Education requirements and school type

To receive federal aid, you must have earned a high school diploma or GED before you enroll in college. If you completed high school through an approved homeschool program, that counts. Some students earn a high school equivalency diploma through other state-approved routes — those also may have access to.

Your school must be accredited and must participate in federal aid programs. Most public universities, private colleges, and career schools do participate. Before you enroll, ask the school's financial aid office whether they accept federal aid. If a school does not participate, you cannot use federal aid there, even if you meet all other requirements.

You must be enrolled in a degree-granting or certificate program. Taking individual classes as a non-degree student does not make you may be able to access for federal aid at most schools. Some career programs and certificate programs do may have access to, but the school must offer them as formal programs leading to a credential.

Income and asset limits for specific aid programs

The FAFSA itself has no income limit. Families at any income level can submit the form. However, individual aid programs — particularly need-based grants — have income thresholds. The Federal Pell Grant, for example, typically goes to students whose families earn below certain amounts, though the exact limit changes each year and depends on family size and the number of students in college.

Unsubsidized federal loans have no income limit. Any student whose FAFSA is processed can borrow through these loans, regardless of family income. Subsidized loans and grants, by contrast, are reserved for students with demonstrated financial need.

Your school's financial aid office will tell you which programs you may receive based on your FAFSA results. If your family income is high, you may be offered only unsubsidized loans or no federal aid at all. Private loans and merit scholarships (which are not based on financial need) may still be available to you.

Enrollment status and degree requirements

You must be enrolled at least half-time in most federal aid programs. Some schools define half-time as 6 credit hours per semester; others use 9. Check your school's definition before you enroll. If you attend less than half-time, you may lose may be able to access for grants and subsidized loans, though unsubsidized loans may still be available.

You must be working toward a degree or certificate. If you are taking classes for personal enrichment or professional development but not pursuing a formal credential, you cannot receive federal aid. The program must lead to an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or recognized certificate.

You must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to keep receiving aid. This means earning a minimum GPA (usually 2.0) and completing a certain percentage of your courses each term. If you fall below your school's SAP standard, you lose aid may be able to access until you bring your grades back up.

Citizenship status that does not may have access to

If you are on a student visa (F-1, M-1, or J-1), you cannot receive federal aid. You may be able to borrow private student loans, and some schools offer their own aid to international students. Contact the school's international student office to learn what options exist.

If you are undocumented, you cannot receive federal aid. Some states have created their own aid programs for undocumented students — California, New York, Texas, and Illinois are among them. Your state's higher education agency can tell you whether your state offers aid and what you need to do to apply.

If you are a permanent resident but have not yet obtained a Social Security number, you can still fill out the FAFSA using your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in some cases, though you will need to get a Social Security number before aid can be disbursed. Contact your school's financial aid office for guidance on your specific situation.

What happens after you submit the FAFSA

After you submit the FAFSA, the Department of Education processes your information and sends a Student Aid Report (SAR) to you and to the schools you listed. The SAR shows your Expected Family Contribution and tells you whether you meet the basic requirements for aid.

Each school you listed will use your FAFSA data to calculate a financial aid package. This package may include grants (money you do not repay), loans (money you do repay with interest), and work-study (a job on campus). The school's financial aid office will send you this package, usually by mail or through an online portal.

You do not have to accept the entire package. You can accept some aid and decline other parts. For example, you might accept a grant and subsidized loan but decline the unsubsidized loan or work-study offer. Review each school's package carefully and compare them before you decide where to enroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the FAFSA if I do not have a Social Security number yet?

You can start the FAFSA online, but you will need a Social Security number before the form can be submitted and processed. If you are a permanent resident, apply for a Social Security number through the Social Security Administration. If you are undocumented, you cannot receive federal aid, though your state may have its own programs.

What if I have a criminal record or drug conviction?

A drug conviction can make you ineligible for federal aid for a set period. The length depends on whether it was a misdemeanor or felony and whether it was your first offense. Other criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify you. Contact your school's financial aid office to discuss your specific situation.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to attend college?

No. International students and undocumented students can attend college. They cannot receive federal aid, but they may borrow private loans, receive scholarships from the school or private organizations, or pay out of pocket. Some states offer aid to undocumented residents through state programs.

If my parents did not go to college, can I still get federal aid?

Yes. Being a first-generation student does not affect your may be able to access for federal aid. You fill out the FAFSA the same way as any other student. Some schools offer additional grants or support programs for first-generation students, but these are separate from federal aid.

What if I am over 24 and have not been in school for years?

Age does not affect your may be able to access for federal aid. You can return to school at any time and submit the FAFSA. You will need a high school diploma or GED. If you have been out of school for a long time, your school may require you to take placement tests or complete remedial courses, but this does not change your aid may be able to access.