Eligibility for federal & state aid
To be eligible to receive funding from the federal financial aid programs, you must meet several basic eligibility requirements. These require you must:
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in a degree or certificate program leading to a recognized educational credential;
- Have a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). You cannot be simultaneously enrolled in elementary or secondary school while enrolled at OSU and receive financial aid;
- Provide a valid and verifiable social security number;
- Be a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States; a permanent resident of Guam; a citizen of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Marshall Islands; or be another type of eligible non-citizen;
- Demonstrate financial need, except for some loan programs. Need is determined from analysis of information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
- Respond promptly to requests from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for documents and/or information.
In addition, you must:
- *Beginning 2021-2022, you are not required to meet this requirement. Be registered with the Selective Service, if required (applies to men at least 18 years old, born after December 31, 1959, who are not on active duty with the armed forces);
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential;
- Not have borrowed in excess of annual or aggregate Title IV loan limits or be in default on any federal Title IV loan or owe an overpayment on any federal Title IV program received for attendance at any institution.
- REMINDER: when signing the FAFSA you are agreeing in the Statement of Educational Purpose that all funds received through the Title IV programs will be used solely for educationally-related purposes