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Selective Service: A necessary step to prepare for college and beyond
Federal student loans make the dream of a college education come true for many people each year. These students are investing in a degree that can lead to a steady job and a successful life. For men, there is one action that can make this all possible. But, if they miss the message, it could just as easily be impossible to achieve any of these goals. Registering with the Selective Service System is a quick and easy way to make sure that men can get many of the jobs they seek, and keeps them eligible for the federal student loans and job training programs that make those jobs a possibility.
Who Must Register
· The law requires that virtually all men living in the United States register with the Selective Service System regardless of citizenship status, including undocumented immigrants.
· Men are legally required to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. However, late registrations are accepted up until their 26th birthday.
· Men who won’t turn 18 before high school graduation can submit their registration information at 17. They will automatically be registered on their 18th birthday.
What’s at Stake
· Men who fail to register by their 26th birthday can be permanently barred from receiving:
o Federal student loans.
o Placement in federally funded job training programs.
o Good government jobs, including some careers in law enforcement.
o Drivers licenses in some states.
· Additionally, immigrant men who fail to register can significantly complicate the process of becoming citizens before they turn 31.
How to Register
· Online at www.sss.gov, click on the registration icon.
· At any U.S. Post Office, on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA form), or at school through a Selective Service registrar.