Students should apply for financial aid for each new award year as soon as possible to receive consideration for grants, student loans, scholarships and work-study opportunities.
Financial aid is money that helps you pay for college. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 85% of college students nationally receive some form of financial aid. There are several types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships and work-study.
- Grants are awarded by organizations, academic institutions and both federal and state governments based on an individual’s level of need. Grants do not need to be repaid if all the grant program conditions are met.
- Student Loans are available to college students. Both federal and private student loans provide students with money that needs to be repaid, with interest, over time.
- Scholarships do not need to be re-paid and are mostly merit-based. Scholarships are dependent on a student’s achievements in areas like academics, community involvement and athletics. Scholarships come in different forms and at various amounts.
- Work-Study enables a student to work part-time and earn money that can be used to pay for school.
Remember to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year.