Sources of Financial Aid

Federal government
The federal government offers the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and the Federal Stafford Loan, Graduate PLUS, and Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

State government
Specific to each state. Contact the financial aid office at your high school or college.

College and university aid
Check with your high school and your college’s financial aid office.

Other sources
Contact high schools, civic groups, religious organizations, associations, labor unions, political parties, not-for-profit charitable foundations, corporations, military organizations, and private charities. There are books and websites, such as Mapping Your Future, that can help you in your search. Use the web – it’s an excellent resource!

Types of Financial Aid

There are several types of aid available to help you finance your education. Research and apply for all resources.

Free or gift aid
Concentrate your efforts on getting this type of assistance, which includes grants and scholarships. Free financial aid doesn’t need to be paid back, unless you don’t complete your classes. Like its name implies, it’s a gift.

Scholarships abound and some go unused. They may be based on academic performance, talents, skills, or on financial need. Apply for all the scholarships you can, even if you aren't sure you qualify.

Work
Although working at a job requires time and planning, it’s not debt and you aren’t paying interest charges. You may be eligible for on-campus employment or work-study, which is run by a school's financial aid office and the placement center. With an on-campus job, employers understand the needs of students and that education comes first.

Loans
Loans are debt and accrue interest. Financial aid offices consider students for other types of financial aid before awarding student loans. Over 60% of students use loans to help pay for their education. Parent loans provide a resource for education expenses while protecting personal assets.