Eligibility Requirements

Some programs require financial need, but many others do not. Many grants require financial need. Most merit-based scholarships do not require financial need and select the strongest applicants based on a competitive comparison of students' academic records or other achievements. 

To apply for most federally funded financial aid programs (including federal loans, grants, and work-study funds) and TU's need-based institutional grant, you must meet all of the federal general eligibility requirements. Each of these programs also has additional eligibility requirements. If you are a resident of Maryland, you must also meet many of these federal requirements (including the U.S. citizenship requirements) to apply for state grants and scholarships from the Maryland Higher Education Commission's (MHEC). Visit MHEC to review the requirements for each of their aid programs.

Federal General Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet all eight requirements below.  To borrow Parent PLUS Loans, parents must all meet requirements 1 and 2.

1. Meet federal aid Citizenship Requirements (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, or other eligible non-citizen).
2. You must not be in default on any prior federal student loans and must not owe any repayments on federal student grants.
3. Formal admission into a degree or certificate program, and enrollment in courses that are applicable to that program.
4. Meet TU's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
5. Must have a valid social security number.
6. Male students must register for Selective Service.
7. On your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must agree to only use federal student aid for educational purposes.
8. You must not violate specific federal aid drug conviction restrictions
   
   These restrictions only suspend aid eligibility for some students who were convicted of selling or possessing drugs while they were receiving federal student aid. If you think you have a conviction that might apply, read this federal process overview, call 1-800-4-FED-AID, or visit the FAFSA website.  The FAFSA has built in questions that will help you determine if your conviction will affect your eligibility for federal aid.

Additional Federal Eligibility Requirements

The following federal and TU aid programs also require financial need:

• Federal Pell and SEOG Grants
• Federal Work-Study funds
• Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
• TU Institutional Grant

The following federal aid programs DO NOT require financial need:

• Federal TEACH Grant
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Parent PLUS Loan)
• Federal PLUS Loan for Graduate Students (Graduate PLUS Loan)