Eligibility Requirements
In general, a student is eligible to apply for financial assistance if the following requirements are met:
- Student must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
- Student must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible course of study.
- Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the Craven Community College Financial Aid Office.
- Student must demonstrate a financial need according to each program’s criteria and must complete necessary forms.
- Student must not owe a refund to the Pell Grant, FSEOG nor be in default of any student loan.
- If a student is a male born on or after January 1, 1960, or at least 18 years of age and not currently a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, he must be registered with selective service. Student must sign a certification of registration, and he may be required to prove that he is registered.
- Student must have a Social Security number.
- Student must have a high school diploma or a GED.
Dependency Status
When you apply for federal student aid, your answers to certain questions will determine whether you are considered dependent on your parent(s)–and must, therefore, report their income and assets as well as your own–or whether you are independent and must, therefore, report only your own income and assets (and those of your spouse, if you are married).
You are an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you:
- You are at least 24.
- You are married.
- You are enrolled in a graduate or professional educational program.
- You have legal dependents other than a spouse.
- You are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18).
- You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.
- You are an emancipated minor
- You are or have been in legal guardianship
- Homeless or at risk of homelessness
NOTE: If you consider yourself to be an independent student but you do not meet any of the above conditions, you must contact financial aid to discuss your situation.