First of all I’d like to thank you Heather for hosting this helpful website. My question is about eligibility to federally subsidized student loan, such as Stafford Loan, for people who don’t qualify for any financial aid like me. I have a bachelor’s degree or higher, but I’m going back to school for a nursing program at a local community college. The school financial aid office cannot give me a clear answer to my questions Do I qualify for federal student loans? And how do new financial aid rules affect my eligibility, if I do qualify under current rules? Should I be looking at Sallie Mae or other private loan options at this point?
I’ve never borrowed money for school in my life. I’ve worked my way through for both my bachelor’s and master’s. Now I’m going back to school for a career change.
My program starts in fall, and I’d like to get the money situation straightened out as soon as possible. Any help that anyone in this forum could provide would be appreciated. Thanks!

Always look to federal student loans before private loans.  Private student loans are risky and expensive.  Eligibility for most federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors.

The most basic eligibility requirements to receive federal student aid are that you must:

be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen,
have a valid Social Security number,
register (if you haven’t already) with the Selective Service, if you’re a male between the ages of 18 and 25,
maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school, and
show you’re qualified to obtain a postsecondary education by
having a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
passing an approved ability-to-benefit test (if you don’t have a diploma or GED certificate, a school can administer a test to determine whether you can benefit from the education offered at that school);
completing six credit hours or equivalent course work toward a degree or certificate;
meeting other federally approved standards your state establishes; or
completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law.

Read more here: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/funding.jsp#01
and here: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/