In order to be considered for financial aid, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a graduate degree-seeking program or qualified certificate program.
• *Be enrolled at least half-time (5 hours of graduate coursework, or hours required for your program).
• Make satisfactory academic progress.
• Not be in default on a federal student loan.
• Not owe a refund on any federal financial aid grant.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Have a valid Social Security number.
• Be registered with Selective Service (if required).

*Financial aid is awarded to you on the assumption that you will be enrolled full time for the academic year. If you will not be enrolling as a full-time student, adjustments will need to be made to your awards and cost of attendance prior to disbursement. When determining your enrollment status, be sure to exclude any courses you have previously passed and are repeating for the second or subsequent time. Such courses are not aid eligible.

If you do not plan to enroll as a full-time student during the academic year, please complete the Enrollment Change Form. This form will need to be submitted prior to the disbursement of any Direct Loans. Please allow 7 – 10 business days for the processing of this form.

If you are not enrolled at least full time on the census date for the semester (e.g., 12th day of classes for fall and spring) but did not indicate as such via the Enrollment Change Form, your financial aid cost of attendance will be reduced and prorated based on your actual enrollment. Such a reduction may result in your becoming ineligible for financial aid that you have already received. As a result, you will be required, as set forth by federal regulations, to repay the aid for which you are no longer eligible.

Your enrollment status is based only on the hours for which you are actually enrolled. Federal rules do not permit us to adjust enrollment based on internships, student teaching or recommendations from the Office of Disability Services.

Also, the retaking of previously-passed coursework for the second or subsequent time cannot be considered for aid eligibility. If you are enrolled in such hours on the census day (e.g., 12th day of classes during the fall or spring semester), your aid-eligible enrollment will be reduced, accordingly. Therefore, you may be required to repay any aid that you received for such courses.

Non-citizens who are Texas residents may complete a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).