Can I Still Receive Financial Aid If I Owe Student Loans

To receive any financial aid, especially federal financial aid, you must meet basic eligibility requirements. You must: Demonstrate financial need Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen Have a valid Social Security number, with some U.S. territorial exceptions Be registered with the Selective Service, if male Although campus-based aid or private scholarships may not be affected by a defaulted loan, it makes good sense to take care of the debt. Step 1 Go to www.nslds.ed.gov, the national student loan data system, and look up your student loans. You may have multiple loans with different student loan servicers.

If you did not receive enough financial aid to cover your school expenses, you have seven ways to fill the gap. Your school’s financial aid office is an excellent resource to help you explore these additional options, even after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ®). 1 Apply for Scholarships