The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Scholarship

Financial need is determined by the information you enter into your FAFSA. It's the difference between how much it's going to cost you to go to college, your 'cost of attendance (COA)', minus how much of this cost can you / your family cover, your 'Expected Family Contribution (EFC)'. If your EFC is lower than your COA, you have financial need! If you're not sure about your EFC or COA, reach out to a Mos advisor for help!

The following groups are eligible for federal financial aid in addition to US citizens—

• Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau

• US nationals (includes natives of American Samoa or Swains Island)

• US permanent residents—who have a 'green card' (1-551, 1-551C, I-151)

• Immigrants with an Arrival Departure Record (I-94) showing refugee, asylum-granted, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or parolee status

• Immigrants with a T-visa (for victims of human trafficking)

• Battered immigrant-qualified aliens

Each state has its own rules about who counts as a resident. Most states require you to live and work in a state for at least one year. Your college may also request some documentation that shows that you plan to live in the state long-term––like a driver's license or a lease.

The best way to find out what is required in your state is to contact your college directly. We prepared an email for you to make it easy! Make sure to fill in the blanks with your own info and situation.

DRAFT MESSAGE TO YOUR COLLEGE To: Registrar's Office

Dear College Administrator, My name is [Your Name] and my student ID number is [###]. I'm a [current / prospective student] at [college name], and I'm writing to see if I have met the requirements for residency. I have lived in [state name] for [number of years / months] and during that time I have [rented an apartment / worked / sent my children to school / paid taxes]. If there is any documentation that I need to provide to show my residency, I would be more than happy to send it your way. Even the in-state rate will be challenging for me to cover, so I would really appreciate any help you can give me! Thanks in advance. Regards, [Your Name]