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Male Students Worry About Being Drafted Because of Loan Fine Print

With the escalating tensions in the Middle East, male students are getting worried they might be drafted because of the fine print buried in federal student loan applications.

Because of misinformation spread by social media, they erroneously believe that by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (“FAFSA”) that they will be automatically registered with Selective Service for the draft.

In fact, it is a voluntary check-off to register with the Selective Service System when requesting federal student aid.

*MOUSE PRINT:

FAFSA question

What isn’t voluntary, however, is for people born male to register with Selective Service starting when they turn 18.

The fine print in the FAFSA application that young men probably should be concerned about is buried in the instructions.

*MOUSE PRINT:

registration required

FAFSA disclose

Male students can be denied federal student aid if they fail to register with Selective Service. And the federal student loan agency is able to tell Selective Service about the applicant and cross reference his registration status with that agency without the student’s permission.

The good news for students is that the draft was discontinued in 1973.

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5 thoughts on “Male Students Worry About Being Drafted Because of Loan Fine Print”

  1. All three of our girls expressed concern that they might be drafted. The two that had already filled out the FAFSA application had forgotten about the question they were instructed to skip, but they were all happy to hear there wasn’t currently a draft. This is how worried they have been about what’s been going on in the world lately.

  2. 1.) Those males are required to register whether they apply for a student loan, or not. 2.) Only slightly sarcastically, I would say they should fear those loans, as well.

  3. Young people will use Google for virtually everything including answering homework and research questions, but they can’t enter a simple phrase that includes “Selective Service” or “is there a draft”. Amazing No, Virginia, you are not required to register, but your brother is.

  4. In this age of equality and diversity, I think ALL 57 genders over 18 should be required to register for selective service. All genders have the right to get killed, maimed, dismembered and disfigured in the name of inclusivity.

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