- Have financial need (i.e., except for some loan programs)
- Have a high school diploma or hold a NYS High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE - formerly known as GED). As of July 1, 2012, students admitted under the Ability to Benefit (ATB) are no longer eligible for Federal Aid
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program (i.e., matriculated and taking courses applicable for that degree or certificate)
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Have filed and signed a statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
- Neither be in default on a federal student loan nor owe money back on a federal student grant
- Have registered with the Selective Service, if required (Males age 18-25 can register by checking a box on the FAFSA or by visiting the Selective Service Web site)
- Meet the federal and state standards for satisfactory academic progress. Please refer to the college's website for further details.
Your eligibility also may be verified by government agencies as follows:
- Social Security Administration for verification of social security numbers, correct name, and U.S. citizenship status
- Selective Service System for verification of Selective Service registration status, when applicable
- Department of Homeland Security (Immigration and Naturalization Service) for verification of eligible non-citizenship status, when applicable
- Department of Justice for verification that a student has not been denied federal student aid by the courts as the result of a drug-related conviction
- Veterans Administration for verification of veterans status, when applicable, to determine dependent/independent status and discharge status
- Department of Education to validate accuracy of financial information for all students identified by U.S. Department of Education.
