Eligibility

In awarding aid, we consider two distinct criteria—scholastic achievement and financial need. Some aid programs stipulate a combination of these criteria while others concentrate on one or the other.

Some of the requirements to receive financial aid are that you must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States with a valid Social Security number. If you are a permanent resident, you must submit a copy of your permanent resident document to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
• Be admitted to and enroll in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or eligible certificate program. (Some forms of aid require that you be enrolled full time or half time. State awards require full-time enrollment.) Non-degree, guest, and high school students are not eligible for financial assistance.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress to assure completion of your degree objectives.
• Demonstrate financial need (for most types of financial aid). Financial need is calculated by subtracting your Expect Family Contribution (COA) from your Cost of Attendance (COA). COA - EFC = Financial Need

Federal Aid Eligibility

Federal student aid programs administered by colleges and universities across the country provide more than $60 billion per year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. To receive federal student aid, you must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans).
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, and meet other standards your state establishes that the Department approves, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law. 
• Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. 
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you're from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau). 
• Register with the Selective Service if required. You can use the paper or electronic FAFSA to register, you can register at www.sss.gov, or you can call 1-847-688-6888. (TTY users can call 1-847-688-2567.)
• Meet satisfactory academic progress standards set by IU Kokomo.
• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant.
• Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

Additionally, student loan recipients must be enrolled at least half-time (undergraduate students - 6 semester hours / graduate students - 4 semester hours).

Please note: Federal law suspends aid eligibility for students convicted of sale or possession of illegal drugs. The period of ineligibility for each student continues until the eligibility date arrives or the student completes an acceptable drug rehabilitation program. If you have ever been convicted for these offenses, call (800) 433-3243 to find out how, or if, this law applies to you.

FAFSA Priority Application Receipt Date

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Priority Application Receipt date is March 10. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA must be received by the federal processor each year by March 10, whether the student is an entering freshman or continuing student to qualify for maximum consideration for state and federal and IU Kokomo grants, federal student loans, and many scholarships. The State Student Assistance of Commission requires the FAFSA to be received by the federal processor by the March 10 deadline for consideration for most state grant programs.