Eligibility for federal direct subsidized student loans is based upon financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Others do not require that you demonstrate financial need (PLUS & Unsubsidized loans).

To be considered for a federal student loan, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• They must be enrolled in a degree-seeking or approved certificate program.
• Undergraduate students must be enrolled six or more credit hours per term.
• Graduate students must be enrolled in five or more credit hours per term.
• They must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, citizen of the Freely Associated States: the Federated State of Micronesia and the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands.
• They must be making the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office satisfactory academic progress for maintaining financial aid.
• They must not be in default on a prior federal student loan or exceed lifetime borrowing limits.
• They must be an eligible noncitizen.