So, you have made up your mind to head back to college, but you are concerned about being able to pull together your finances so you can pay for your college expenses. Luckily, there is plenty of financial aid available to those who are eligible for this extra financial assistance. Whether you are receiving financial aid through the Federal government or from the school you are attending, you can obtain a significant amount of assistanc with paying for your college expenses. But, how do you know if you are eligible to receive the financial aid that is available?

Quite simply, you are eligible to receive financial aid from most sources if you meet the following criteria:

· You are a citizen of the United States, a refugee, a permanent resident, a U.S. national or an asylee
· You have a valid Social Security Number
· You are enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis
· You are enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program that will lead to a certificate or a degree
· You are registered with the Selective Service (if you are a male)
· You are not on default with any federal educational loan and you do not own a refund on any federal grants
· You are making satisfactory progress in your academics
· You have demonstrated a need for financial assistance
On the flip side, there are certain groups of people who automatically are not eligible for financial aid from most resources. These include:
· International students who are in the country on a temporary basis
· Students who are on a limited or special status
· Graduate students who are not pursuing a particular degree
· Students who are taking classes that are not going toward earning a degree

If you are a student who is pursuing your second bachelor’s degree, you are still eligible for financial aid. When it comes to the financial aid provided directly by the college or university you are attending, however, there may be additional restrictions placed on whether or not you can obtain assistance. Therefore, it is important for you to contact the institution you are interested in attending in order to learn more about the financial aid programs the school has available to its students.