AwardYear: 1995-1996 EnterChapterNo: 2 EnterChapterTitle: Student Eligibility and Financial Need SectionNumber: SectionTitle: Introduction PageNumbers: 1-2 This chapter of the Federal Student Financial Aid Handbook describes the student-eligibility requirements affecting the Student Financial Aid (SFA) programs. The calculation of financial need, a key determinant of student eligibility, is examined here, as are the details of documenting citizenship status and other eligibility criteria. An updated list of Student Aid Report (SAR) comment activity for matches and hold files and revised versions of Selective Service's Status Information Letters are provided in appendices. RECENT CHANGES The Higher Education Amendments of 1992, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, and the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1993 brought about many changes in the programs. These changes were phased in during the 1993-94 and 1994-95 award years. The issuance of a number of regulations in 1994 has clarified some of the previous changes and has brought additional changes for 1995-96. Throughout the chapter, we have tried to highlight the changes that are effective beginning in 1995-96. Among them are: 1. A change in SFA eligibility for citizens of Palau, which is now under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. 2. The implementation of the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), which will provide on the SAR more accurate information about a student's previous SFA loans and grant overpayments. 3. Changes to the specification of the maximum time frame in a school's satisfactory progress policy. 4. New requirements regarding the eligibility of students who have had previous loans cancelled because of the student's total and permanent disability. 5. The elimination of Correction Applications. 6. Changes in the eligibility of incarcerated students. 7. Changes in Immigration and Naturalization Service form numbers and procedures. |