Eligibility Requirements

Basic Eligibility Criteria

1. Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
2. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
3. Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
4. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
5. Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
6. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
7. Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form stating that
   • you are not in default on a federal student loan,
   • you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and
   • you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and
8. Show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by
   • having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
   • completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law); or
   • enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the "ability-to-benefit" alternatives described below.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

In accordance with Federal and State guidelines, students receiving aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress as established by Touro College of Dental Medicine, as well as adhere to Touro College's Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.

Standards of Progress

Students must complete at least 80% of their attempted credits and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA each semester in which they receive financial aid. To remain eligible for aid, students must be on track to complete their medical school education within six years.

Failure to meet these standards will result in financial aid suspension for the upcoming semester. Students whose aid is suspended can appeal. Consult the Student Handbook or contact the Financial Aid Office for information on the appeals process.

We verify enrollment prior to fund disbursements and review academic records at the end of each semester to determine students’ satisfactory progress.