Eligibility

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  • Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or an Eligible Non-citizen (see below).
  • Must have a High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) High School Equivalency Diploma.
  • Must be working towards a degree or certificate.
  • May not be in default on any federal educational loans or owe a refund on a federal grant.
  • Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • Must not have been convicted of a drug offense while receiving financial aid.  

Citizen or Eligible Non-citizen

You are considered a citizen or eligible non-citizen if you fit into one of the following categories:

  • You are a U.S. Citizen.
  • You are a U.S. National (includes natives of America, Samoa, or Swain's Island).
  • You are a U.S. Permanent resident with an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151,I-551, or I-551C).
  • You are not a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, but have an I-94 or I-94A with one of the following designations:
    • Refugee
    • Asylum Granted
    • Indefinite Parole
    • Humanitarian Parole
    • Cuban-Haitian entrant, status pending
    • Conditional entrant (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)

Determining Financial Aid

  • Need-based financial aid eligibility is determined from submitted application information, using a standard need analysis formula.
  • A Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated based on income, net worth, family size and other factors.
  • A student's financial need is determined by the student's educational expenses minus the Student Aid Index (SAI). Financial aid is "packaged" as a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment to meet the financial need.
  • Students should first file a financial aid application to be evaluated for the need-based programs; SIU also offers scholarships, loans and student employment that are not based on financial need.

Financial Need

The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the Student Aid Index is considered financial need. The Financial Aid Office will assist students and their families in trying to meet their financial need by offering a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and employment opportunities.  Students who have no financial need are eligible to be considered for non-need based scholarships, loans, and student employment positions.