Eligible

Eligible is an adjective used to describe a person or thing that meets the necessary conditions to participate in an activity, receive a service, or hold a particular status. The term comes from the Latin eligere, meaning “to choose from,” reflecting the idea of meeting a set of predefined options or criteria.

In practice, eligibility is determined by criteria established by authorities, organizations, or programs. These criteria may include age, citizenship or residency, income or employment status, education or qualifications, and other specific requirements. Common contexts include voting rights, social benefits, student or housing programs, admissions, licenses, and eligibility for contracts or grants.

The process of determining eligibility typically involves verification of information through documents, records, or testing. Eligibility decisions can be time-limited or subject to renewal, and they may be revisited upon changes in a person’s circumstances or program rules. If someone does not meet the criteria, they are described as ineligible for that particular program or benefit, though they may qualify under different conditions or at a later time.

The noun form eligibility refers to the condition of being eligible, while eligible itself denotes the status. Related concepts include eligibility criteria, eligibility period, and ineligibility. Understanding eligibility helps clarify who can participate in programs, who may receive benefits, and how resources are allocated.