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Eligibility Requirements
Your eligibility for financial aid is determined by several factors. In some cases, meeting certain eligibility requirements but not others may render you ineligible. First, you must apply for admission to UTRGV and complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your eligibility for federal financial aid will be determined once you have shown that the following criteria have been satisfied.
- Must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. FAFSA data is checked against Department of Homeland Security records to verify eligibility.
- Must have a valid Social Security Number.
- Generally, must be enrolled or intend to enroll on at least a half-time basis.
- Must show financial need for most programs. This is established when the financial strength of the student and family is determined to be lower than the cost of attendance.
- Must not be in default on an educational loan or owe a refund to any financial aid program.
- If an applicant is a male between 18 and 26 years old and is not a current member of the armed forces, he must be registered with the Selective Service.
- Must be regular students in eligible programs enrolled for the declared purpose of obtaining a degree or certificate. Students enrolled for personal enhancement or skill enhancement are not eligible for most federal and state financial aid programs. Also, transient students or those in conditional status are not eligible to receive financial aid.
- If a student is admitted into an eligible program and takes remedial coursework within the program, he/she can be considered a regular student, even if he/she is taking all remedial courses before taking any regular courses. However, a student can receive aid for no more than 30 remedial credit hours.
- Must have demonstrated the ability to benefit from the education they are about to receive. This requirement is met by providing official evidence to the UTRGV Admissions Office of obtaining a high school diploma or GED or completing secondary school in a homeschool setting.
- Must be making satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of a program of study. Both undergraduates and graduates have distinct Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria by which this requirement is measured. Please review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy section for more information on this criterion at UTRGV.
For eligibility requirements for state and institutional aid, refer to the different types of aid programs (grants, scholarships, work-study, loans). Most foreign citizens are not eligible for federal student aid. International students may qualify for some institutional and/or private scholarships.