FAFSA may be able to access starts with citizenship and enrollment status

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 to be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an may be able to access degree or certificate program at a school that participates in federal student aid. "Regular student" means you are working toward a degree or recognized credential, not taking classes for personal enrichment only.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you cannot complete the FAFSA itself. Some states and schools offer aid to undocumented students through separate programs, but those are not part of the federal form. Check your state's higher education agency or your school's financial aid office to learn what options exist where you live.

You must also have a high school diploma, GED, or homeschool completion credential. If you do not yet have one of these, you may still be able to enroll in a program if your school has received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education, but this is rare and you should confirm with the school directly.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident with a Social Security number to complete the FAFSA.
  • You need to be enrolled or accepted into a degree or certificate program at a school that participates in federal student aid programs.
  • A high school diploma, GED, or homeschool credential is required; some schools can request a waiver if you do not have one yet.
  • Your school determines whether you are a regular student; taking only non-degree courses will disqualify you from federal aid.
  • If you are not a citizen or permanent resident, check your state and school for separate aid programs designed for undocumented students.

What your school must be to count

Not every school participates in federal student aid. The school must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and must be located in the United States or a U.S. territory. This includes four-year universities, two-year community colleges, trade schools, and certificate programs — but only if they meet these standards.

Before you fill out the FAFSA, confirm that your school is on the Federal Student Aid website's school search tool. If it is not listed there, it does not participate in federal aid, and the FAFSA will not help you. Your school's financial aid office can also tell you whether they accept federal aid.

Income and asset limits do not exist for FAFSA itself

The FAFSA has no income cutoff. You can report any income — including very high income — and still complete the form. However, schools use the information you report to calculate how much aid they think your family can afford to pay, called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI). Students from wealthier families typically receive less aid, but they are not barred from filling out the form.

Some individual schools or scholarship programs do set income limits for their own aid, but those limits are separate from FAFSA may be able to access. You will not know whether you meet a school's specific aid limits until after you submit the FAFSA and the school reviews your information.

Academic standing and prior debt do not block you from starting

You can fill out the FAFSA even if you have failed classes, been on academic probation, or dropped out of a previous school. However, once you enroll, your new school will check your academic history. If you are returning after suspension or dismissal, the school may require you to meet certain conditions — such as completing remedial courses or maintaining a minimum GPA — before you receive aid.

Owing money to a previous school or to the federal government can affect your aid. If you defaulted on a federal student loan, owe a grant overpayment, or owe money to another school, that school may place a hold on your transcript. You will still be able to fill out the FAFSA, but you may not receive aid until you resolve the debt or enter a repayment plan.

Age and enrollment status: full-time, part-time, or other

There is no age limit for the FAFSA. Students in their 60s, 70s, and beyond can and do complete it. However, you must be enrolled at least half-time in most cases to receive certain types of aid, particularly federal loans. Some grants, like the Pell Grant, have different rules — you can receive a Pell Grant while enrolled part-time, though the amount will be smaller.

Your school defines what "half-time" means for its programs. Typically it is at least six credit hours per term for a four-year university or at least half the full-time course load for a certificate or trade program. Before you enroll, ask your school's financial aid office what enrollment level qualifies you for each type of aid.

Incarceration and drug convictions have specific rules

If you are currently incarcerated in a federal or state prison, you cannot receive federal student aid. However, if you are in a local jail awaiting trial or serving a short sentence, you may still be able to receive aid if your school allows it — some schools do not admit incarcerated students, but others do.

A drug conviction can affect your aid, but it does not automatically disqualify you. The rules depend on whether the conviction was for possession or sale, and whether it happened while you were receiving federal aid. If you have a drug conviction, answer the question on the FAFSA honestly. Your school's financial aid office can then tell you whether your aid is affected and what options you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the FAFSA if I am a permanent resident but not yet a citizen?

Yes. Permanent residents with a valid Social Security number can complete the FAFSA. You will need to enter your Alien Registration Number (also called an A-number) on the form. If you are in the U.S. on a visa but are not a permanent resident, you cannot complete the federal FAFSA, though your school may have separate aid for international or visa-holding students.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You cannot complete the FAFSA without one. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and do not have a Social Security number, you will need to apply for one through the Social Security Administration before you can submit the FAFSA. This can take several weeks, so start early if you are planning to enroll soon.

Do I have to be a full-time student to get federal aid?

It depends on the type of aid. Pell Grants can go to part-time students, though the amount is smaller. Federal loans usually require at least half-time enrollment. Your school's financial aid office can tell you the enrollment requirement for each aid type they offer.

If I owe money from a previous student loan, can I still fill out the FAFSA?

Yes, you can fill out the form. However, if you are in default on a federal loan, you may not receive new aid until you enter a repayment plan or resolve the default. Contact your loan servicer or the Federal Student Aid office to learn your options before you enroll.

Can I fill out the FAFSA if I have been convicted of a crime?

Most convictions do not affect FAFSA may be able to access. Drug convictions have specific rules that depend on the type of drug offense and when it occurred. Answer the question on the form honestly, and then contact your school's financial aid office to find out whether your aid is affected.