Most male students from ages 18 through 25—including permanent residents of the United States and other eligible non-citizens—are required to register with the Selective Service System. The mission of Selective Service is to be prepared to provide trained and untrained personnel to the U.S. Department of Defense in the event of a national emergency and to be prepared to implement an Alternative Service Program for registrants classified as conscientious objectors. Anyone required to register must have done so in order to receive federal financial aid.
The student is exempt from the Selective Service if:
• She is female.
• He is male and currently in the armed services and on active duty (this exception does not apply to members of the Reserves and National Guard who are not on active duty).
• He is male and not yet 18 at the time he completes his FAFSA.
• He is male and born before 1960.
• He or she is a citizen of Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau.
There are certain less common situations in which the Selective Service registration requirement is waived. Registration is not required for students who are:
• Unable to register due to being hospitalized, incarcerated, or institutionalized.
• Enrolled in any officer procurement program at The Citadel, North Georgia College, Norwich University, or Virginia Military Institute.
• Commissioned Public Health Service officers on active duty or members of the Reserve of the Public Health Service.
• Commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
More information is available on the Selective Service website.