Registering With Selective Service Is A Must (NAPSA)—Asthey grow older, young people find that in exchange for more freedom they are expected to take on greater social responsibilities, such as voting and paying taxes. In the case of young men, once they turn 18, the law requires them to register with the Selective Service System. To be in full compliance with the law, men are requiredto register during the period of time beginning 30 days before their 18th birthday until 30 days after their birthday—a 60-day window. This law applies regardless of where they live. Also, the law doesn’t just apply to citizens. Male immigrants residing in the U.S. must register as well, no matter what their immigration statusis. It is also possible for a man to submit registration information early, as long as heis at least 17 years and 3 monthsold. How To Register In general, young men can reg- ister online, at a post office, by mail, when applying for student aid or at high school. To register online, go to www.sss.gov and click on the registration icon. It only takes a minute to complete the registration and you will receive a registration numberinstantly. Selective Service “mailback” registration forms are available at any U.S. Postal Service facility. Menliving overseas may register at any U.S. embassyor consularoffice. A young man mayalso register by filling out a Reminder Mailback Card. Selective Service sends this card to many young men around the time they turn 18. Mailback cards are also available at some postoffices. A i le Once they turn 18, young men are required, by law, to register with the Selective Service System. Male immigrants residing in the U.S. must register as well. Another way a young man can register is to check a box on the application form for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAform). In addition, most of the high schools in the nation have a staff memberor teacher appointed as a Selective Service Registrar. These individuals help register young men. The Benefits Of Registration Men who have registered remain eligible for federal student aid, most federal jobs and federal job training. Male noncitizensliving in the U.S. who are 18 through 25 must register to remain eligible for citizenship. Many states and territories require registration for a driver’s license. Penalties For Not Complying Those who don’t comply face fines of up to $250,000, a prison sentence of up to five years or both. Plus, they are ineligible for student financial aid and job training programs. To learn more about registration, visit WWW.SSS.gOvV.
