Eligibility Requirements

There are a number of requirements that must be met before a student is considered eligible for financial aid.

The student must:

• have financial need (except for unsubsidized student loans)
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non- citizen
• not be in default on a Perkins Loan, National Direct Student Loan, Stafford Loan, Guaranteed Student Loan, PLUS Loan, or Supplemental Loan for Students (SLS)
• not owe a refund on a Pell Grant or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) according to institutional academic and financial aid standards* 
• agree to use any federal student aid received solely for educational purposes
• have not completed more than 120 units (except for Private Loans)
• have a high school diploma**, GED/Proficiency certificate or have enrollment prior to July 1, 2012 in a Title IV eligible program and:  1. pass the Ability to Benefit test *** or 2. have completed six (6) degree-applicable units as verified by an ARC Counselor
• be enrolled in an eligible educational program of study

* American River College reserves the right to evaluate college transcripts from other institutions to ensure compliance to the institution's SAP policy.  The college may withhold financial aid funds if students do not provide documentation to resolve conflicting information between units indicated on the student's college application and information received from the Department of Education on the student's FAFSA.

**American River College reserves the right to evaluate the High School diploma. The Vice President of the Student Services or his/her designee may, at any time, request a copy of a high school transcript or other documentation to validate the authenticity or the High School diploma. The decision of the Vice President of Student Services or his/her designee is final and cannot be appealed. As provided in the Federal Register (Section 668.16) the college may withhold Financial Aid funds or require the student to take and pass an Ability to Benefit Test as a requirement to receiving Financial Aid.

*** As provided in the Federal Register.

Selective Service Financial Aid Requirements

Male citizens of the United States and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register at any post office, or register now online via the Selective Service website.