 TITLE: Qualifying for Student Loans: What You Need to Know CONTENT: Who Qualifies for Federal Student Loans?\n----------------------------------------\nThe government offers various types of federal student loans, each with different rules and requirements. Most don't require a credit check or cosigner. However, some are only available to students who can demonstrate financial need—in other words, they don't have another way to pay for college.\nTo qualify for a federal student loan, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as:\n*   You are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen\n*   You have a valid Social Security number (with a few rare exceptions)\n*   You're enrolled or have been accepted as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program and are qualified to obtain that education (by receiving a high school diploma, GED or other allowed high school completion verification)\n*   You're making satisfactory academic progress\n*   You're registered with Selective Service if you're a male ages 18 to 25\n*   You're enrolled at least half time (for direct loans)\nThe interest rates on federal loans are fixed, and they're typically lower than you'll find with private loans. Another benefit of federal student loans is that you don't have to start repaying them until after you graduate. Some federal loans are subsidized, meaning the government pays the loan's interest while you're still in school. END