DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1.Be a U.S. citizen or eligible permanent resident.

2. Be in compliance with the Academic Requirements for receiving Aid.

3. Be fully accepted for admission at GC in a degree-seeking program. Exception: (Applicable to Stafford or PLUS.) A non-degree seeker may be eligible for a loan under one or more of these programs if (s)he is enrolled or accepted for enrollment as at least a half-time (6 credit hours) student in a program that is necessary for either a professional credential from a state, if that credential or certification is required for employment in the state as an elementary or secondary school teacher or to qualify him/her for enrollment in a degree or certificate program. The latter is restricted to length of program, verified by Chairman of the Department. For federal aid purposes, these students are considered fifth-year undergraduates.

4. Non-degree, transient, conditional, and/or unclassified students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or Federal Direct PLUS.

5. Transient students may receive HOPE Scholarship funds, if eligible. Eligibility is determined by the students "home" institution. Payment is made by the "visiting" institution in accordance with HOPE regulations.

6. Not be in default on any loan or have borrowed in excess of loan limits at any institution.

7. Not owe a refund on any grant at any institution.

8. Certify registration with Selective Service, if required.

9. Demonstrate financial need for need-based programs.

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Effective July 1, 2000, students are ineligible for Title IV federal financial aid funds if convicted of an offense involving the possession of an illegal substance that occurred during a period of enrollment for which the students were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans and/or work-study).

The ineligibility period is:

First Offense = 1 year
Second Offense = 2 years
Third Offense = Indefinite

For convictions involving sale of an illegal substance, the ineligibility period is:

First Offense = 2 years
Second Offense = Indefinite

A student may regain eligibility by successfully completing a drug rehabilitation program that complies with criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further details. Report any convictions involving an illegal substance on question #23 of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).