Eligibility for most financial aid programs is based on demonstrated financial need of the student and/or the student’s family and on registered credit hours. In addition to the general requirements listed below, each financial aid program may also have eligibility requirements which are specific to that program.
For all programs, you must complete the application which is specified for that program. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is required for all federal financial aid programs and for some scholarships and Ohio programs.
To be eligible for federal financial aid programs (Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Loan, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan), you must also:
- Be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States. Certain persons in process of becoming citizens or permanent residents, along with special immigration categories for refugees, parolees, Afghan entrants, victims of human trafficking, battered immigrants, and Jay Treaty may also be eligible.
- Be accepted by the College for admission as a regular student and demonstrate the ability to benefit from the selected program of study. Students enrolled in high school, College Credit Plus students, early admit students, and students who apply for admission as visiting or guest students are not eligible for aid.
- Show your intent on the admission application as one of the following:
- to obtain an associate degree for transfer to another college
- to obtain an associate degree for the job market
- to obtain a certificate
- Be enrolled in a financial aid eligible degree or certificate program.
- Be enrolled in courses that provide credit toward your declared financial aid eligible degree or certificate program. Courses taken as audit are not eligible. Enrollment must follow the freeze date policy.
- Financial aid can only be used for one repeat of a previously passed course.
- Meet the enrollment and attendance requirements for each program.
- Demonstrate the Ability to Benefit. To receive federal financial aid, you must demonstrate the Ability to Benefit from the education offered. You must meet one of the following academic requirements:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as GED, HiSET, or TASC (an official transcript must be on file with the Records Office showing that you graduated from high school or completed the GED, HiSET, or TASC). Individuals who served in the military and are unable to obtain an official high school transcript may submit their DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty if the form indicates that they are a high school graduate or equivalent; OR
- Have a high school diploma from a state approved home school (documentation must be on file with the Records Office showing that you graduated from the state approved home school); OR
- Proof of completion of at least a 2-year program acceptable for full credit towards a bachelor’s degree (an official college transcript must be on file with the Records Office showing that you earned an associate’s degree or higher); OR
- If you were enrolled in a program of study prior to July 1, 2012, satisfactory completion of 6 semester credits (other than developmental courses) applicable to a degree or certificate at Owens; OR
- If you were enrolled in a program of study prior to July 1, 2012, have taken the COMPASS test and scored at least 25-prealgebra, 62-reading, 32-writing
- Comply with requirements concerning submission of a Statement of Educational Purpose. This is included on the financial aid application (FAFSA®).
- Certify that you are not in default on any federal student loan with the Department of Education or another institution.
- Certify that you do not owe a refund to any federal aid program. This includes grant overpayments resulting from withdrawals, as well as any fraudulently obtained Title IV funds, if you were convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
- Certify that you have not intentionally exceeded annual or aggregate borrowing limits in the federal education loan programs.
- If selected for verification, submit all required documents as indicated in the Verification Policy.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as set forth in the Owens Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
- Accumulate no more than 30 hours of developmental courses. Please refer to the Enrollment & Attendance page for a list of developmental courses.
- Confirm that you do not have property subject to a judgment lien for a debt owed to the United States.
For Ohio programs (Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program, Ohio War Orphan and Severely Disabled Veterans’ Children Scholarship, etc.), you must also:
- Be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States. Certain persons in process of becoming citizens or permanent residents may also be eligible.
- Be a resident of Ohio (according to Ohio Law) for 12 consecutive months*.
- Be enrolled full-time (12 hours) in credit courses*.
- Be enrolled in a degree program as a regular student. The Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program is also available for certain certificate programs.
- Comply with requirements concerning Selective Service registration. For information regarding Selective Service, or to register, visit http://www.sss.gov.
*Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program recipients must be enrolled in at least 3 credits. Ohio College Opportunity Grant awards are pro-rated for enrollment below 12 credits.
FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education.