Eligibility Requirements for Federal Aid 

To qualify for federal student aid (loans and work-study funds), you must meet certain eligibility criteria. The basic requirements are that you must: 

• demonstrate financial need for need-based aid. 
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, including having a green card. Learn details about which immigration statuses are eligible. 
• have a valid Social Security number (with some exceptions). 
• be enrolled or accepted into an eligible degree or certificate program. 
• maintain satisfactory academic progress and credit hour minimums. See below. 
• not be in default on a federal student loan or owe money on a federal student grant 

International students are encouraged to investigate the possibility of aid through their government or outside agencies. Learn more about scholarships at your school.

Satisfactory Academic Progress 

To continue receiving federal student aid, recipients must make satisfactory academic progress. This means maintaining good grades and completing enough classes to stay on track to graduate within the timeframe expected. Satisfactory academic progress policies vary by school. 

Credit Hour Minimums 

Enroll at least half-time 

• Half-time enrollment is required to receive and retain federal loans. The course load that is required to meet half-time enrollment status varies by division. Learn more about credit hour minimums. 
• If your school has eight-week terms for fall and spring semesters, enroll in both eight-week terms upfront. Financial aid looks at the entire semester and not the individual terms. 
• Financial aid is available only for courses where students will receive credit toward completion of their program. Courses taken for personal reasons or so a student can remain enrolled at least half-time are not eligible for federal financial aid. Audited courses do not count toward the credits required for financial aid availability. 

Dropping or withdrawing from a class 

If you do not begin a class or drop a class, your financial aid may be reduced or canceled. Withdrawing from classes after the semester has started may also impact your eligibility. See the Return of Title IV Funds policy. Please contact SEAM if you are considering any changes to your enrollment status. 

Not attending classes or withdrawing from JHU 

If you do not attend class or withdraw from the university, you may lose your financial aid awards. Johns Hopkins is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, who are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term. Please review the Return of Title IV Funds policy. 

Renew Each Year 

Aid is not automatically renewed each year. You must file the FAFSA each year to reapply. 

Exit Counseling 

Students who borrowed federal loans must complete exit counseling when leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment. The purpose of exit counseling is to ensure you understand your student loan obligations and are prepared for repayment. 

Student Loan Repayment 

Students should be familiar with the terms of loans offered to them. Plan ahead and learn what your student loan repayment may look like. Use Loan Simulator to estimate monthly student loan payments and choose a loan repayment option that best meets your needs and goals.