Use the following information to determine if you meet the definition of "Veteran" for Purposes of Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ("FAFSA"):
- Question: "Are You Currently Serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
- Answer “Yes” if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active duty for other than state or training purposes.
- Answer “No” if you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active duty for state or training purposes.
- Question: Are You a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
- Answer “Yes” (you are a veteran) if you have engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard) or are a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for purposes other than training, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, AND were released under a condition other than dishonorable
- Answer “Yes” if you are not a veteran now, but will be one by June 30, 2017.
- Answer “No” (you are not a veteran) if you:
- have never engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
- are currently an ROTC student or a cadet or midshipman at a service academy
- are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for training
- were engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces but released under dishonorable conditions
- are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and will continue to serve through June 30, 2017.
Qualifying Veterans: HEROES Act
The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act provides for the modification and waiving of some statutory and regulatory provisions related to students who receive financial aid and who are on active duty during a war or other military operation or who reside or are employed in a declared disaster area. These adjustments apply to return of funds and signature requirements for verification and application, among other things. These waivers and modifications were due to expire on September 30, 2007, but on that date the law — and with it the Secretary’s authority to issue the waivers and modifications — was made permanent. As a result, the above actions will remain in effect until September 30, 2012, unless the Secretary ends or changes them before then. For all the details on the Act and a list of the eligible students, see pages 69312–69318 of the Federal Register dated December 12, 2003. (Reference page AVG-85)
During the period of eligible military service:
- forbearance and military service deferment documentation requirements are relaxed
- in-school status is retained
- grace period or school-related deferment status is retained for up to 3 years
- collection activity on defaulted loans may be suspended
- missed payments are not treated as an interruption of a stream of required payments
- return of Title IV requirements are modified
- copies of IRS forms documenting AGI and income tax paid are not required
- written leave of absence request is not required
- requirement that loan cancellation or forgiveness service be uninterrupted or consecutive does not apply
- period of time for cancelling loan proceeds under cash management regulations is extended
- oral, rather than written, authorizations from the borrower may be accepted by the school