Who Gets Aid 
Most U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens are eligible for financial aid for college or career school. It s important to understand the criteria of the programs, how to stay eligible, and how to get your eligibility back if you lose it. Eligibility Requirements Students With a Parent Who Was Killed in Iraq or Afghanistan Non-U.S. Citizens Students with criminal convictions Students with intellectual disabilities Homeless Students who are or have been in foster care Students Staying Eligible Regaining Eligibility 

Eligibility Requirements 
share link Our general eligibility requirements include that you have financial need, are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, and are enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at your college or career school. There are more eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for federal student aid. 

For a quick glance at the basic eligibility criteria for federal student aid, check out this graphic. 


Eligibility for Federal Student AidGraphic 
View text - only version of Eligibility for Federal Student Aid infographic Did You Know? There is no income cut - off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors such as the size of your family and your year in school are taken into account. LEARN ABOUT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

Students With a Parent Who Was Killed in Iraq or Afghanistan 
share link If your parent died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 , you might be eligible for additional Federal Pell Grant funding or for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. 

Non-U.S. Citizens 
share link Generally , if you have a green card in other words, if you are a permanent resident alien , you will be considered an eligible noncitizen and will be able to get federal student aid if you meet the other basic eligibility criteria. Learn about which immigration statuses make you an eligible noncitizen. 

Students With Criminal Convictions 
share link Your eligibility 

user: Hi, good morning. I'm now looking into your financial aid, and wanted to know if this kind of programs  are available to non-citizens?

assistant: Yes, they are. Given you have a green card, as such being a permanent resident alien, then you can get access to federal student aid, being an eligible non-citizen. Of course, you'll have to meet the basic criteria.

assistant: So, do you have a green card?

user: Yes, i have a green card.

assistant: Excellent. Then you can be eligible for federal aid, as said before.

user: That's awesome. And once i get that aid, it stays just like that, or i have to do something to keep it?

assistant: Well, no. You have to make some procedures, but not for keeping the aid , but instead to stay being eligible.

user: Oh, o.k. So, what if i'm already been told that i'm not fit to get that aid?

assistant: If that so, then you'll have to find out how to regain that eligibility status.

user: Well, hope to never need to do that. Say, everyone in the country can get this kind of help, aren't they?

assistant: Well, not everyone, but the most of the U.S citizens or eligible noncitizens can be eligible to get financial aid, either for college or career school. Of course, you have to totally understand criteria of the programs.

user: Umm, lets say for example, those with intellectual disabilities?

assistant: That kind of students have many programs at hand, such as the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study programs in certain circumstances.