Federal Grants for College: Can Ex Offenders Obtain?

August 15, 2012 by grantsorg
Filed under: Federal Grants for Education

A common question asked by our readers is one that involves the ability to secure financial aid for school, after a felony conviction. While there are many people that would say a person with a felony can receive no federal grant or federal loan money, this is simply not true.

(Where to Find Government Loans for College)

To determine your eligibility for federal grants for college, you’ll need to first complete a FASFA form to determine your financial need. The form can be completed online and, yes, it does ask about your prior criminal charges. But, do not let this be overly concerning. While there are some forms of federal financial aid that you may not qualify for, there are many federal grants that you can obtain without regard to your prior criminal background. The financial aid office at your school can not determine your need unless you complete the FASFA online.

Once you have the FASFA form complete, the school you will attend should receive a student aid report (SAR) which will advise them of your financial need as well as your eligibility for federal grants, federal loans and scholarships for school. If, in the end, you are not eligible for the federal grants, keep in mind that your school may have state and local grants that you will qualify for. Ultimately, none of these financial aid services can be provided until you take the first step and complete your FASFA online. So, get busy and complete the form today!