There are many options to consider when paying for college, with Federal Student Aid being one route to take. Students who qualify can receive grants that do not have to pay back, and even federal work study programs where students can work on or campus. However, depending on certain factors, reasons do exist for students to be denied federal aid.
Qualification
Aside from certain loans, one of the reasons to be denied financial aid is that you have not demonstrated a financial need. Once you fill out your FAFSA, the information you provide is used to calculate your EFC, or Expected Family Contribution. This is not necessarily the money your family has to pay for you to go to school; it is instead the guide that your potential college will use in order to determine how much aid you will be provided. If your EFC is below a certain amount, then you qualify for aid. If your EFC higher, you might not qualify for aid such as Pell Grants.
Selective Service
If a student is required to register with selective service and has not done so, he might be denied financial aid. According to the Selective Service Website, Males 18 to 25 are required to register within 30 days of their 18th birthdays, or 30 days after. Students can register online for the selective service when they file for financial aid.
Drug Convictions
Students might be denied financial aid if they have been convicted under federal or state law of the sale or possession of drugs. Eligibility can be regained if the student passes two surprise drug tests by a drug rehabilitation program that meets standards established by the U.S. Department of Education.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students are required to maintain a certain GPA in order to continue to receive financial aid. Normally, if a student falls below a 2.0 GPA, the school might put the student on Academic Probation, in which they will still receive aid, but must raise their GPA in order to continue receiving federal grants and loans. If they do not raise their GPA, the student will be denied aid for the following year.
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Writer Bio
Born and raised in Texas, Jacob Guerra is a college instructional designer who began writing professionally in 2009. His work appears on eHow. He holds a Master of Science in computer education and cognitive systems from the University of North Texas and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Texas-Pan American.