Acronyms
Federal Databases
Application Process
Criteria Checked by
School
Program Eligibility
100

This document needs to be submitted every academic year to be considered for Federal Financial Aid. 

What is the FAFSA?

100

Verifies student’s claim of U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status

Social Security Administration
(SSA)?

100

Confirms student eligibility criteria using various database matches with federal agencies

What is use of FAFSA data?

100

Contains Qualitative and Quantitative standards and School must have a policy and what the requirements are.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

100

Limited to a maximum of 6 Scheduled Awards or its equivalent (e.g., 12 fulltime
semesters).

What is Federal Pell Grant Program?

200

It is important to know this number for each college you are considering, so you know if you can afford attendance.

What is Cost of Attendance?

200

Ensures annual and aggregate limits are not exceeded as well as verifies student’s default and overpayment status.

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)?

200

Uses skip logic and edits and allows for real time, online submission of initial FAFSA and any corrections

What is online FAFSA?

200

Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at your institution. Admitted to a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential offered by that institution.

What are Academic Credentials?

200

$23,000 undergraduate aggregate limit, need based.

What is Subsidized Loan Program?  

300

Formerly referred to as the SAR (Student Aid Report), it's 'simplified' name is going to be this.

What is FSS? (FAFSA Submission Summary)

300

Verifies student’s eligible noncitizen status through primary confirmation (sometimes called primary verification) and automated secondary confirmation processes.

Department of Homeland Security
(DHS)?

300

Student’s parents refuse to complete the FAFSA; or do not and will not provide any financial support to the student but student cannot be considered independent on the FAFSA,

What is Direct Unsubsidized Loan only?

300

Flagged by NSLDS; however, school may need to review enrollment, financial aid, and academic records.

What is Unusual Enrollment History?

300

Need-based campus-based employment program.

What is Federal Work-Study (FWS)?

400

A secure connection between the IRS and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that allows the IRS to directly transfer federal tax information (FTI) to the FAFSA form

What is the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX)?

400

Incarcerated Applicant Flag is set if student’s FAFSA mailing address is included in Correctional Facility Address file.

ED Correctional Facility Address
File?

400

This term refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student's FAFSA form.

What is a contributor?

400

A student complies by signing the FAFSA. It is not necessary to document unless selected for verification for this purpose (V4).

Statement of Educational Purpose?

400

Non-needbased grant program. Agree to teach full time in a high-need field for at least 4 years within 8 years of ceasing enrollment at the school where
the grant was received, at a school serving a high percentage of low-income students (For example: Title I schools).

What is Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant?

500

Federal regulations require that students applying for funding through the Title IV Student Aid Programs must meet and maintain minimum academic progression requirements.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progression (SAP)?

500

ED hold file lists individuals whose eligibility for federal benefits, including student aid, has been suspended or terminated by a judge under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.

Department of Justice (DOJ)?

500

Allows the transfer of FTI to the FAFSA and once completed cannot be changed

What is FA-DDX? (IRS Direct Data Exchange)  

500

Confirm high school graduation, GED, or State equivalency OR complete six credit hours or 225 clock hours applicable toward a degree or certificate offered by the institution. 

What is Ability to Benefit?

500

Undergraduate students without baccalaureate or professional degree. Priority given to Federal Pell Grant
recipients with “exceptional financial need”. $100 annual minimum - $4,000 annual maximum, no aggregate limit.

What is Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)?