20 USC 1091 - Student eligibility

U.S Code last checked for updates: Mar 08, 2025

§ 1091.

Student eligibility

(a)

In general

In order to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this subchapter, a student must—

(1)

be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate, or other program (including a program of study abroad approved for credit by the eligible institution at which such student is enrolled) leading to a recognized educational credential at an institution of higher education that is an eligible institution in accordance with the provisions of section 1094 of this title, except as provided in subsections (b)(3) and (b)(4), and not be enrolled in an elementary or secondary school;

(2)

if the student is presently enrolled at an institution, be maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of study the student is pursuing in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c);(q)

(3)

not owe a refund on grants previously received at any institution under this subchapter, or be in default on any loan from a student loan fund at any institution provided for in part E, or a loan made, insured, or guaranteed by the Secretary under this subchapter for attendance at any institution;

(4)

(A)

a statement of educational purpose stating that the money attributable to such grant, loan, or loan guarantee will be used solely for expenses related to attendance or continued attendance at such institution; and

(B)

such student’s social security number;

(5)

be a citizen or national of the United States, a permanent resident of the United States, or able to provide evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that he or she is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; and

(6)

if the student has been convicted of, or has pled nolo contendere or guilty to, a crime involving fraud in obtaining funds under this subchapter, have completed the repayment of such funds to the Secretary, or to the holder in the case of a loan under this subchapter obtained by fraud.

(b)

Eligibility for student loans

(1)

In order to be eligible to receive any loan under this subchapter (other than a loan under section 1078–2 or 1078–3 of this title, or under section 1078–8 of this title pursuant to an exercise of discretion under section 1087tt of this title) for any period of enrollment, a student who is not a graduate or professional student (as defined in regulations of the Secretary), and who is enrolled in a program at an institution which has a participation agreement with the Secretary to make awards under subpart 1 of part A of this subchapter, shall—

(A)

(i)

have received a determination of eligibility or ineligibility for a Pell Grant under such subpart 1 for such period of enrollment; and (ii) if determined to be eligible, have filed an application for a Pell Grant for such enrollment period; or

(B)

have (i) filed an application with the Pell Grant processor for such institution for such enrollment period, and (ii) received from the financial aid administrator of the institution a preliminary determination of the student’s eligibility or ineligibility for a grant under such subpart 1.

(2)

In order to be eligible to receive any loan under section 1078–1 1

 See References in Text note below.

of this title for any period of enrollment, a student shall—

(A)

have received a determination of need for a loan under section 1078(a)(2)(B) of this title;

(B)

if determined to have need for a loan under section 1078 of this title, have applied for such a loan; and

(C)

has applied for a loan under section 1078–8 of this title, if such student is eligible to apply for such a loan.

(3)

A student who—

(A)

is carrying at least one-half the normal full-time work load for the course of study that the student is pursuing, as determined by an eligible institution, and

(B)

is enrolled in a course of study necessary for enrollment in a program leading to a degree or certificate,

shall be, notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subsection (a), eligible to apply for loans under part B or D of this subchapter. The eligibility described in this paragraph shall be restricted to one 12-month period.

(4)

A student who—

(A)

is carrying at least one-half the normal full-time work load for the course of study the student is pursuing, as determined by the institution, and

(B)

is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program at an eligible institution necessary for a professional credential or certification from a State that is required for employment as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school in that State,

shall be, notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subsection (a), eligible to apply for loans under part B, D, or E or work-study assistance under part C of this subchapter.

(5)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no incarcerated student is eligible to receive a loan under this subchapter.

(c)

Satisfactory progress

(1)

For the purpose of subsection (a)(2), a student is maintaining satisfactory progress if—

(A)

the institution at which the student is in attendance, reviews the progress of the student at the end of each academic year, or its equivalent, as determined by the institution, and

(B)

the student has a cumulative C average, or its equivalent or academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation, as determined by the institution, at the end of the second such academic year.

(2)

Whenever a student fails to meet the eligibility requirements of subsection (a)(2) as a result of the application of this subsection and subsequent to that failure the student has academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation, as determined by the institution, for any grading period, the student may, subject to this subsection, again be eligible under subsection (a)(2) for a grant, loan, or work assistance under this subchapter.

(3)

Any institution of higher education at which the student is in attendance may waive the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of this subsection for undue hardship based on—

(A)

the death of a relative of the student,

(B)

the personal injury or illness of the student, or

(C)

special circumstances as determined by the institution.

(d)

Students who are not high school graduates

(1)

Student eligibility

In order for a student who does not have a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such certificate, to be eligible for any assistance under subparts 1, 3, and 4 of part A and parts B, C, D, and E of this subchapter, the student shall meet the requirements of one of the following subparagraphs:

(A)

The student is enrolled in an eligible career pathway program and meets one of the following standards:

(i)

The student shall take an independently administered examination and shall achieve a score, specified by the Secretary, demonstrating that such student can benefit from the education or training being offered. Such examination shall be approved by the Secretary on the basis of compliance with such standards for development, administration, and scoring as the Secretary may prescribe in regulations.

(ii)

The student shall be determined as having the ability to benefit from the education or training in accordance with such process as the State shall prescribe. Any such process described or approved by a State for the purposes of this section shall be effective 6 months after the date of submission to the Secretary unless the Secretary disapproves such process. In determining whether to approve or disapprove such process, the Secretary shall take into account the effectiveness of such process in enabling students without secondary school diplomas or the equivalent thereof to benefit from the instruction offered by institutions utilizing such process, and shall also take into account the cultural diversity, economic circumstances, and educational preparation of the populations served by the institutions.

(iii)

The student shall be determined by the institution of higher education as having the ability to benefit from the education or training offered by the institution of higher education upon satisfactory completion of 6 credit hours or the equivalent coursework that are applicable toward a degree or certificate offered by the institution of higher education.

(B)

The student has completed a secondary school education in a home school setting that is treated as a home school or private school under State law.

(2)

Eligible career pathway program

In this subsection, the term “eligible career pathway program” means a program that combines rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that—

(A)

aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the State or regional economy involved;

(B)

prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (referred to individually in this chapter as an “apprenticeship”, except in section 171); ¹

(C)

includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals;

(D)

includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;

(E)

organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable;

(F)

enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential; and

(G)

helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster.

(e)

Certification for GSL eligibility

Each eligible institution may certify student eligibility for a loan by an eligible lender under part B of this subchapter prior to completing the review for accuracy of the information submitted by the applicant required by regulations issued under this subchapter, if—

(1)

checks for the loans are mailed to the eligible institution prior to disbursements;

(2)

the disbursement is not made until the review is complete; and

(3)

the eligible institution has no evidence or documentation on which the institution may base a determination that the information submitted by the applicant is incorrect.

(f)

Loss of eligibility for violation of loan limits

(1)

No student shall be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this subchapter if the eligible institution determines that the student fraudulently borrowed in violation of the annual loan limits under part B, part D, or part E of this subchapter in the same academic year, or if the student fraudulently borrowed in excess of the aggregate maximum loan limits under such part B, part D, or part E.

(2)

If the institution determines that the student inadvertently borrowed amounts in excess of such annual or aggregate maximum loan limits, such institution shall allow the student to repay any amount borrowed in excess of such limits prior to certifying the student’s eligibility for further assistance under this subchapter.

(g)

Verification of immigration status

(1)

In general

(2)

Special rule

(3)

Verification mechanisms

(4)

Review

In the case of such an individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States, if the statement described in paragraph (1) is submitted but the documentation required under paragraph (2) is not presented or if the documentation required under paragraph (2)(A) is presented but such documentation is not verified under paragraph (3)—

(A)

the institution—

(i)

shall provide a reasonable opportunity to submit to the institution evidence indicating a satisfactory immigration status, and

(ii)

may not delay, deny, reduce, or terminate the individual’s eligibility for the grant, loan, or work assistance on the basis of the individual’s immigration status until such a reasonable opportunity has been provided; and

(B)

if there are submitted documents which the institution determines constitute reasonable evidence indicating such status—

(i)

the institution shall transmit to the Immigration and Naturalization Service either photostatic or other similar copies of such documents, or information from such documents, as specified by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, for official verification,

(ii)

pending such verification, the institution may not delay, deny, reduce, or terminate the individual’s eligibility for the grant, loan, or work assistance on the basis of the individual’s immigration status, and

(iii)

the institution shall not be liable for the consequences of any action, delay, or failure of the Service to conduct such verification.

(h)

Limitations of enforcement actions against institutions

The Secretary shall not take any compliance, disallowance, penalty, or other regulatory action against an institution of higher education with respect to any error in the institution’s determination to make a student eligible for a grant, loan, or work assistance based on citizenship or immigration status—

(1)

if the institution has provided such eligibility based on a verification of satisfactory immigration status by the Immigration and Naturalization Service,

(2)

because the institution, under subsection (g)(4)(A)(i), was required to provide a reasonable opportunity to submit documentation, or

(3)

because the institution, under subsection (g)(4)(B)(i), was required to wait for the response of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the institution’s request for official verification of the immigration status of the student.

(i)

Validity of loan guarantees for loan payments made before immigration status verification completed

Notwithstanding subsection (h),¹ if—

(1)

a guaranty is made under this subchapter for a loan made with respect to an individual,

(2)

at the time the guaranty is entered into, the provisions of subsection (h) ¹ had been complied with,

(3)

amounts are paid under the loan subject to such guaranty, and

(4)

there is a subsequent determination that, because of an unsatisfactory immigration status, the individual is not eligible for the loan,

the official of the institution making the determination shall notify and instruct the entity making the loan to cease further payments under the loan, but such guaranty shall not be voided or otherwise nullified with respect to such payments made before the date the entity receives the notice.

(j)

Repealed. Pub. L. 110–315, title IV, § 485(a)(4), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3288

(k)

Special rule for correspondence courses

(l)

Courses offered through distance education

(1)

Relation to correspondence courses

(A)

In general

(B)

Exception

(2)

Reductions of financial aid

(3)

Special rule

(m)

Students with a first baccalaureate or professional degree

(n)

Study abroad

(o)

Verification of social security number

The Secretary of Education, in cooperation with the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, shall verify any social security number provided by a student to an eligible institution under subsection (a)(4) and shall enforce the following conditions:

(1)

Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), an institution shall not deny, reduce, delay, or terminate a student’s eligibility for assistance under this part because social security number verification is pending.

(2)

If there is a determination by the Secretary that the social security number provided to an eligible institution by a student is incorrect, the institution shall deny or terminate the student’s eligibility for any grant, loan, or work assistance under this subchapter until such time as the student provides documented evidence of a social security number that is determined by the institution to be correct.

(3)

If there is a determination by the Secretary that the social security number provided to an eligible institution by a student is incorrect, and a correct social security number cannot be provided by such student, and a loan has been guaranteed for such student under part B of this subchapter, the institution shall notify and instruct the lender and guaranty agency making and guaranteeing the loan, respectively, to cease further disbursements of the loan, but such guaranty shall not be voided or otherwise nullified with respect to such disbursements made before the date that the lender and the guaranty agency receives such notice.

(4)

Nothing in this subsection shall permit the Secretary to take any compliance, disallowance, penalty, or other regulatory action against—

(A)

any institution of higher education with respect to any error in a social security number, unless such error was a result of fraud on the part of the institution; or

(B)

any student with respect to any error in a social security number, unless such error was a result of fraud on the part of the student.

(p)

Use of income data with IRS

(q)

Students with intellectual disabilities

(1)

Definitions

(2)

Requirements

Notwithstanding subsections (a), (c), and (d), in order to receive any grant or work assistance under section 1070a of this title, subpart 3 of part A, or part C, a student with an intellectual disability shall—

(A)

be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities at an institution of higher education;

(B)

be maintaining satisfactory progress in the program as determined by the institution, in accordance with standards established by the institution; and

(C)

meet the requirements of paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6) of subsection (a).

(3)

Authority

(4)

Regulations

(r)

Data analysis on access to Federal student aid for certain populations

(1)

Development of the system

(2)

Results from analysis

(3)

Data updating

(4)

Report to Congress

(s)

Exception to required registration with the Selective Service System

(t)

Confined or incarcerated individuals

(1)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Confined or incarcerated individual

The term “confined or incarcerated individual”—

(i)

means an individual who is serving a criminal sentence in a Federal, State, or local penal institution, prison, jail, reformatory, work farm, or other similar correctional institution; and

(ii)

does not include an individual who is in a halfway house or home detention or is sentenced to serve only weekends.

(B)

Prison education program

The term “prison education program” means an education or training program that—

(i)

is an eligible program under this subchapter offered by an institution of higher education (as defined in section 1001 or 1002(a)(1)(B) of this title);

(ii)

is offered by an institution that has been approved to operate in a correctional facility by the appropriate State department of corrections or other entity that is responsible for overseeing correctional facilities, or by the Bureau of Prisons;

(iii)

has been determined by the appropriate State department of corrections or other entity that is responsible for overseeing correctional facilities, or by the Bureau of Prisons, to be operating in the best interest of students, the determination of which shall be made by the State department of corrections or other entity or by the Bureau of Prisons, respectively, and may be based on—

(I)

rates of confined or incarcerated individuals continuing their education post-release;

(II)

job placement rates for such individuals;

(III)

earnings for such individuals;

(IV)

rates of recidivism for such individuals;

(V)

the experience, credentials, and rates of turnover or departure of instructors;

(VI)

the transferability of credits for courses available to confined or incarcerated individuals and the applicability of such credits toward related degree or certificate programs; or

(VII)

offering relevant academic and career advising services to participating confined or incarcerated individuals while they are confined or incarcerated, in advance of reentry, and upon release;

(iv)

offers transferability of credits to at least 1 institution of higher education (as defined in section 1001 or 1002(a)(1)(B) of this title) in the State in which the correctional facility is located, or, in the case of a Federal correctional facility, in the State in which most of the individuals confined or incarcerated in such facility will reside upon release;

(v)

is offered by an institution that has not been subject, during the 5 years preceding the date of the determination, to—

(I)

any suspension, emergency action, or termination of programs under this subchapter;

(II)

any adverse action by the institution’s accrediting agency or association; or

(III)

any action by the State to revoke a license or other authority to operate;

(vi)

satisfies any applicable educational requirements for professional licensure or certification, including licensure or certification examinations needed to practice or find employment in the sectors or occupations for which the program prepares the individual, in the State in which the correctional facility is located or, in the case of a Federal correctional facility, in the State in which most of the individuals confined or incarcerated in such facility will reside upon release; and

(vii)

does not offer education that is designed to lead to licensure or employment for a specific job or occupation in the State if such job or occupation typically involves prohibitions on the licensure or employment of formerly incarcerated individuals in the State in which the correctional facility is located, or, in the case of a Federal correctional facility, in the State in which most of the individuals confined or incarcerated in such facility will reside upon release.

(2)

Technical assistance

(3)

Federal Pell Grant eligibility

(4)

Evaluation

(A)

In general

Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, in order to evaluate and improve the impact of activities supported under this subsection, the Secretary, in partnership with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, shall award 1 or more grants or contracts to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, experienced public and private institutions and organizations to enable the institutions and organizations to conduct an external evaluation that shall—

(i)

assess the ability of confined or incarcerated individuals to access and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid;

(ii)

examine in-custody outcomes and post-release outcomes related to providing Federal Pell Grants to confined or incarcerated individuals, including—

(I)

attainment of a postsecondary degree or credential;

(II)

safety in penal institutions with prison education programs;

(III)

the size of waiting lists for prison education programs;

(IV)

the extent to which such individuals continue their education post-release;

(V)

employment and earnings outcomes for such individuals; and

(VI)

rates of recidivism for such individuals;

(iii)

track individuals who received Federal Pell Grants under subpart 1 of part A at 1, 3, and 5 years after the individuals’ release from confinement or incarceration; and

(iv)

examine the extent to which institutions provide re-entry or relevant career services to participating confined or incarcerated individuals as part of the prison education program and the efficacy of such services, if offered.

(B)

Report

(5)

Report

Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, and on at least an annual basis thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the authorizing committees, and make publicly available on the website of the Department, a report on the—

(A)

impact of this subsection which shall include, at a minimum—

(i)

the names and types of institutions of higher education offering prison education programs at which confined or incarcerated individuals are enrolled and receiving Federal Pell Grants;

(ii)

the number of confined or incarcerated individuals receiving Federal Pell Grants through each prison education program;

(iii)

the amount of Federal Pell Grant expenditures for each prison education program;

(iv)

the average amount of Federal Pell Grant expenditures per full-time equivalent students in a prison education program compared to the average amount of Federal Pell Grant expenditures per full-time equivalent students not in prison education programs;

(v)

the demographics of confined or incarcerated individuals receiving Federal Pell Grants;

(vi)

the cost of attendance for such individuals;

(vii)

the mode of instruction (such as distance education, in-person instruction, or a combination of such modes) for each prison education program;

(viii)

information on the academic outcomes of such individuals (such as credits attempted and earned, and credential and degree completion) and any information available from student satisfaction surveys conducted by the applicable institution or correctional facility;

(ix)

information on post-release outcomes of such individuals, including, to the extent practicable, continued postsecondary enrollment, earnings, credit transfer, and job placement;

(x)

rates of recidivism for confined or incarcerated individuals receiving Federal Pell Grants;

(xi)

information on transfers of confined or incarcerated individuals between prison education programs;

(xii)

the most common programs and courses offered in prison education programs; and

(xiii)

rates of instructor turnover or departure for courses offered in prison education programs;

(B)

results of each prison education program at each institution of higher education, including the information described in clauses (ii) through (xiii) of subparagraph (A); and

(C)

findings regarding best practices with respect to prison education programs.

(Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 484, as added Pub. L. 99–498, title IV, § 407(a), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1479; amended Pub. L. 99–603, title I, § 121(a)(3), Nov. 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 3388; Pub. L. 100–50, § 15(7)–(9), June 3, 1987, 101 Stat. 356, 357; Pub. L. 100–369, §§ 1, 2, 6, July 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 835, 836; Pub. L. 100–525, § 2(g), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2611; Pub. L. 101–508, title III, § 3005(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–27; Pub. L. 102–26, § 2(b), (c)(2), (d)(2)(A), Apr. 9, 1991, 105 Stat. 123, 124; Pub. L. 102–73, title VIII, § 801(a), July 25, 1991, 105 Stat. 359; Pub. L. 102–325, title IV, § 484(a), (b)(1), (c)–(h), July 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 615–619; Pub. L. 103–208, § 2(h)(13)–(25), Dec. 20, 1993, 107 Stat. 2476, 2477; Pub. L. 103–382, title III, § 360A, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3969; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title V, § 507(b), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–673; Pub. L. 105–244, title IV, § 483(a)–(f)(1), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1735, 1736; Pub. L. 109–171, title VIII, §§ 8020(c), 8021, Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 178; Pub. L. 109–270, § 2(c)(2), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 110–315, title IV, § 485(a), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3287; Pub. L. 111–39, title IV, § 407(b)(4), July 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 1950; Pub. L. 112–74, div. F, title III, § 309(c)(1), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1100; Pub. L. 113–235, div. G, title III, § 309(a)(1), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2504; Pub. L. 114–113, div. H, title III, § 313(1), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2638; Pub. L. 116–91, § 6(b), Dec. 19, 2019, 133 Stat. 1196; Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title VII, § 702(n)(1)(A), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3182.)

cite as: 20 USC 1091

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