Can You Get Financial Aid With a Felony?

Rebuilding your life after a criminal conviction can seem tough. But if you want to attend college, many options are available to help you pay for those upcoming costs.

In fact, once you’re released from prison, there are very few restrictions on the types of financial aid you’re eligible for, including both student loans and free money such as grants and scholarships.

So what scholarships and grants for felons are available? And how can you get them?

Yes, you can still attend college with a felony.

There are no legal restrictions that prevent you from attending college with a felony record. Every college makes its own admission decisions. A criminal history may lower your chances of getting accepted if you’re aiming for a more competitive school, though.

You’re more likely to get accepted into a school with a high acceptance rate, such as a community college. Once you’ve earned some credits, you could then transfer to a four-year university.

Qualifying for federal financial aid isn’t out of the question. There are several options for getting scholarships, loans, and grants for felons, depending on the nature of the offense.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Explore all of your financial aid options to make college as accessible and affordable as possible.

The Second Chance Pell experiment provides grants for felons who are still in prison. As of July 1, 2023, all eligible incarcerated people can receive a Pell Grant, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

To get a Pell Grant, you must be enrolled in an approved prison education program. Note that the school must initiate the process for eligible incarcerated students to receive Pell Grants.

Scholarships are another way to pay for college using free money. Many scholarship programs do not exclude felons, so it’s worth researching options for which you otherwise qualify.

You may also search for nonprofits that specifically offer scholarships to felons attending college.

There are two types of student loans available for college attendees: federal and private. Most felons are eligible for federal student loans once they’re released from prison.

Private student loans don’t have many restrictions based on criminal history. Instead, lenders want to see a consistent income, employment, and an established credit score. You could get a co-signer to help you secure a private loan.

Another option to pay for college is to get a federal work-study job. These part-time job opportunities are available as part of the FAFSA financial aid package.

Your school must participate in the Federal Work-Study Program, and jobs are usually on campus.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.