In addition to demonstrating financial need, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate or pass an exam approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a school that participates in the federal student aid programs.

Also: You must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan.