How to Get Financial Aid With a Felony

Students with a felony conviction can still qualify for federal financial aid. Learn more about options and limitations for this population.

Updated on February 12, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Students with felony convictions can still qualify for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, scholarships, and work-study, especially after 2023 policy changes removed previous restrictions.
Incarcerated individuals may access Pell Grants through approved prison education programs. Those on probation or parole are generally eligible for the full range of federal aid.
Scholarships from organizations like the Prison Education Foundation and Walmart’s Empowering a Better Tomorrow fund offer additional support for those who have had no serious disciplinary incidents in the last 12 months.

A felony conviction can make the path to college feel more complicated — but it doesn’t automatically shut the door on financial aid. In fact, changes that took effect in 2023 have made it easier for people with a felony record to apply for and receive federal support.

Here’s how you can qualify for financial aid for college even with a felony conviction on your record.

Can You Go to College With a Felony?

Yes, you can attend college if you have a felony conviction — and you may even qualify for financial aid.

That said, a felony conviction can make getting into college more difficult. Individual schools set their own admission policies, and having a criminal history may lower your chances of acceptance — especially at more competitive institutions. However, schools with higher acceptance rates, such as community colleges, may be more likely to accept students with felony convictions.

Many schools also ask applicants to disclose their criminal history, if any. According to the Department of Education, 72% of schools require applicants to report prior criminal activity as of 2023. Disclosing this information doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be denied, but not being upfront about it can increase the risk of rejection.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to research your target schools or contact them directly to see whether they accept students with a criminal record and how their application process works.

Do You Qualify For Financial Aid If You Have a Felony Record?

While it can make getting into college more difficult, felony convictions do not necessarily prevent you from qualifying for financial aid — including federal assistance, scholarships, loans, and grants.

However, there are some potential limitations, especially for people who are currently incarcerated. Here are the eligibility rules for different types of student aid:

Pell Grant

Student Loans

Federal Work-Study

Other Types Of Financial Aid

How to Submit the FAFSA if You Have a Felony Conviction

You can file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) even if you have a felony conviction or are currently incarcerated — as long as the aid is for a period when you won’t be confined.

“Once released and no longer incarcerated, the limitations on federal student aid eligibility are removed, and students may be considered for all types of Title IV aid,” Austin wrote.

However, the main eligibility requirements still apply. To be eligible for the FAFSA, the main requirements are U.S. citizenship (or an eligible noncitizen), a Social Security number, and a high school diploma or GED.

These are the steps you should take to submit the FAFSA:

Step 1: Gather Required Materials

Before you start to fill out the FAFSA, it helps to have a few documents handy.

At the top of the list is your Social Security number (or your parents’ if you are a dependent). You’ll also need:

Tax returns
Child support information
Bank statements
Investment and business records

Step 2: Create Your FSA ID

Go to StudentAid.gov to create your FSA ID. All parties or contributors — defined as anyone other than you, such as a parent or spouse, who is providing information on the form — must have their own ID, as well. This could include your spouse or parents if you are a dependent.To create this ID, choose your language preference and select “Get Started.” You will be prompted to enter personal information, including your Social Security number. Be sure to enter the number exactly as it appears on your Social Security card.

If you do not have a Social Security number, you may still be able to complete the form by providing some extra information.

Step 3: Complete the FAFSA Form

Thanks to recent streamlining efforts, the FAFSA is considerably shorter than it once was. The form now includes as few as 18 questions and no more than 36, depending on the amount of information available from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Start by selecting the academic year you’re applying for, then proceed from there. The FAFSA is made up of five major sections:

Demographic information
School selection, where you list schools you want to attend
Parent and family information, if you’re a dependent or married
Dependency status, where you indicate whether you’re applying as a dependent or independent student
Financial information, including tax returns and W-2s

To make the financial section easier to fill out, you can link your FAFSA account to the IRS. This allows you to automatically transfer your tax information. If your form includes contributors, like parents or a spouse, they’ll need to log in separately and give permission for their tax information to be shared as well.

Before you submit the form, take a moment to double-check your information.

Step 4: Get Your Student Aid Report

After you submit the FAFSA, you’ll receive your Student Aid Report, or SAR, usually within three to five days.

The SAR gives you an overview of your federal student aid eligibility, such as grants, loans, and work-study. It also includes your Data Release Number, which your school may need if any information on your FAFSA has to be corrected.

Be sure to review the report carefully to make sure it’s accurate, since schools use it to determine what federal and nonfederal aid you might be eligible to receive.

Scholarships for Students With Felonies

Here are some scholarship options available to students with a felony. Note that this isn’t a complete list, and eligibility details can change.

Prison Education Foundation Scholarship

Amount: Varies, based on the availability of donor funding
Deadline: Rolling
Who is eligible: Students accepted to an approved prison education program who are expected to be released within the next seven years. Additionally, applicants must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and no serious disciplinary incidents within the past 12 months.

Empowering a Better Tomorrow Scholarship Powered by Walmart

Amount: $5,000 (non-renewable, one-time award)
Deadline: Typically in the spring of each year
Who is eligible: Students who were formerly incarcerated or who have recently been convicted. Students must have completed their sentence and be enrolled in a public educational institution with no serious disciplinary incidents within the past 12 months.

Perry ‘Second Chances’ Scholarship

Amount: $2,000
Deadline: 2026 application closes February 27, 2026
Who is eligible: Women and girls impacted by incarceration who are currently enrolled in a 2-4-year accredited college, vocational school, or university.

Mahin Bina Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500
Deadline: Rolling
Who is eligible: Individuals who were incarcerated for at least one year in a U.S. state or federal correctional institution and are currently enrolled in a certificate or degree-granting program.

Other Resources for Students With Criminal Convictions

The National Reentry Resource Center: Assists individuals in reentering their communities after jail or prison.
Transcending Through Education Foundation: Connects incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people pursuing higher education with resources, including scholarships.
Prison Education Foundation: Helps incarcerated men and women in college earn a degree.
Prison Scholar Fund: Provides educational opportunities, professional development, and transitional support for those impacted by incarceration.
College and Community Fellowship: Helps formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted women pursue higher education and professional development

Frequently Asked Questions

What felonies can disqualify you from financial aid?

As of July 1, 2023, there are no specific felony convictions that automatically disqualify a student from receiving federal financial aid. However, eligibility may still depend on factors such as whether you are currently incarcerated or enrolled in an approved prison education program.