Financial Aid Office

General Eligibility Requirements

Federal & State

To be eligible for federal or state sources of financial assistance, you must meet the following conditions:

  1. Demonstrate financial need (for need-based programs).
  2. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  3. Have a valid Social Security number.
  4. Be admitted to and enrolled in a degree program or certificate program.

    * Please note: not all certificate programs are approved for federal or state financial aid.
  5. Have a high school diploma or GED.
  6. Be at least a half-time student in any term/semester in which you are applying for financial aid. Only coursework required for degree completion may be included for financial aid purposes. Non-required electives, audited classes, and coursework outside the degree program cannot be considered.

    * Please note: Federal Pell grants may be awarded to eligible, less than half-time students.
  7. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a degree or certificate.
  8. Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form stating that:

    * You are not in default on a federal student loan.
    * You do not owe money on a federal student grant.
    * You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
  9. Have not exceeded the annual/aggregate loan limits.

University

There are numerous merit awards, grants, scholarships, loans, and institutional work programs offered by Thomas Jefferson University. Eligibility criteria varies by program. Below are some of the general eligibility requirements that may be applicable to a specific University funding source:

  • Financial needs
  • Academic performance
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • Academic program of study
  • Enrollment status
  • Citizenship/residence status (please note: international students may be eligible for some programs)
  • State/county residency