Who Deserves State Financial Aid? Eligibility Criteria for Students Entering College

The fact is that financial aid has not kept pace with the rising tide of tuition costs, leaving more students in the unenviable position of bridging the financial gap through loans. This debt burden not only hinders their immediate financial prospects but can saddle them with long-term financial liabilities, potentially affecting their future economic well-being. Equitable access to state financial aid becomes an essential response to this crisis. In this report, we embark on an exploration of state financial aid funding and the associated program requirements in 10 distinct states. The objective is to shed light on the 12 key eligibility requirements that often serve as formidable barriers to college access for under-resourced students. This includes, but is not limited to, students of color, undocumented students, justice-impacted students, and students from lowincome backgrounds.