Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Aid Programs

Section 487(c) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended, requires that the Secretary of Education prescribe regulations to ensure that any funds postsecondary institutions receive under the HEA are used solely for the purposes specified in and in accordance with the provision of the applicable programs. Part H, Subpart 3, Section 498 of the HEA of 1965, as amended, gives the Secretary the responsibility for determining qualifications of institutions of higher education to participate in programs under the HEA. To comply with this requirement Section 498(b) of the HEA specified that the Secretary prepare and prescribe a single application form. The Department of Education (the Department) developed the Application for Approval to Participate in the Federal Student Financial Aid Programs to comply with the statutory requirements of collecting necessary information under the HEA. An institution must use this Application to apply for approval to be determined to be eligible and if the institution wishes, to participate; to expand its eligibility; or to continue to participate in the Title IV programs. An institution must also use the Application to report certain required data as part of its recordkeeping requirements contained in the regulations under 34 C.F.R. Part 600 (Institutional Eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended). The Department uses the information reported on the Application in its determination of whether an institution meets the statutory and regulatory requirements. This request is for a revision of the current information collection.

The latest form for Application for Approval to Participate in Federal Student Aid Programs expires 2029-03-31 and can be found here.

Application to Participate in Federal Student Financial Aid: Public Institutions

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Education - Higher Education