Citizenship Policy

An applicant who is a permanent resident or other eligible noncitizen must provide documentation of that status to receive federal student financial aid funds.

Primary confirmation: This documentation may be provided automatically through the results of a match with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records. If your status has been confirmed, no other documentation is required, and eligibility for federal aid has been established.

Secondary confirmation: If the primary confirmation is not received, you must submit one of the following documents to our office in order to establish eligibility:

• a valid U.S. passport
• Certificate of Citizenship
• a Certificate of Naturalization
• a Form FS-240
• a completed Form G-641
• an Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form 1-151, I-551, or 1-551C)
• an Arrival-Departure Record (Form 1-94)
• a Family Unity Status Form (1-797s)

Within 15 working days, the information will be mailed to the DHS for secondary confirmation. DHS must respond within 15 working days. If DHS does not respond, our office will document that DHS exceeded the time allotted, and we will determine eligibility on the basis of the secondary confirmation and in accordance with federal regulations.

Deadlines: You will meet eligibility requirements for federal aid as long as you submit the documentation and the secondary confirmation is determined by the last day of class for which you are requesting financial aid.