Are non-citizens waiting for green card (AOS) eligible to receive loans/grants from FSA (federal government) ?

take my example, my foriegn born wife came to US 2 months ago on K-1 visa. We got married and subsequently sent in our AOS papers.

Now, if she applies for financial aid for university this winter for FAll 2007 - will she be eligible. .? I imagine that by that time of her application for FSA (winter 2007), we won't have yet her permanent resident card, b/c of backlog and slow processing.

best,

Upon review of http://www.ifap.ed.gov/sfahandbooks/attach...0506Vol1Ch2.pdf
I think she would be, but i wanted to make sure

that waiting period between K-1 and green card (which can be 1 to 2 years) is always weird for things like this, eg. student aid, driver's licesne

AFAIK, only US Citizens and GC holders are eligible for FAFSA, a pending GC holder is not included. Your wife can apply for student loans from banks or other sources though.

Garfield,

but what about applying for FSA knowing that by the time the funds would be distributed to her (at least 6 months later) my wife will be permanent resident. . . (the sooner you apply for FSA the better()

an important clause in FSA publication:

"A student who has an approved application for permanent
residence on file with the USCIS and who is waiting for a permanent
resident card may not have proof of her permanent resident status.
She should contact her local USCIS office for the passport stamp or I-
94 stamp described at the end of this chapter, as these are available to
a student before the normal permanent resident documentation is
issued. Note that an application for permanent resident status is not
sufficient for determining eligibility for FSA funds. "

.also, as you mention we could get Bank loans, but we would prefer to avoid them and stick with FSA,


thanks.

Not sure, but I think the bold words are the key... My understanding from that part is that the AOS has been approved but the card is still in process, not pending AOS (no approval yet).