Almost all male U.S. citizens, regardless of where they reside, and non-citizens living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required by Federal law to register with the Selective Service.

American University financial aid policies are designed to be consistent with Federal and State laws, including the Selective Service Law. Individuals who are required to register can do so only after they reach the age of 18 and before their 26th birthday. Those required to register who failed to do so may forfeit their eligibility for aid permanently if they cannot demonstrate that their failure to register was not done knowingly and willfully.

Aid applicants can register for the Selective Service online by selecting the appropriate option on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or at the Selective Service registration website. For more information about who is required to register or what to do if you did not register on time, go to the Selective Service System website.

Status Information Letter

If you are male, over the age of 26 and are not registered with Selective Service, then you must submit to the Financial Aid Office a Status Information Letter from the Selective Service System. This letter will either confirm that you were not required to register before the age of 26 or that you were required to register and failed to do so.

If you were required to register and failed to do so, then you must submit a written appeal to the financial aid office with adequate supporting documentation to show that your failure to register was not done knowingly or willfully.