Education Assistance

Understand education financial support

Education assistance comes from several places at once: federal programs, your state, the school itself and private organizations. Knowing which source does what helps you ask better questions.

Where assistance usually comes from

Most students combine more than one source. Each source has its own rules and its own office to contact.

Federal programs, reached through the FAFSA.
State agencies that support residents attending eligible schools.
Colleges that award institutional grants and discounts.
Foundations, employers and community groups that fund scholarships.

Grants, scholarships and loans are different

Grants and scholarships generally do not need to be repaid. Loans do. When you read an award letter, separate these clearly before comparing schools.

Preparing for the next step

Before you apply anywhere, collect documents, list deadlines and write down questions for each financial aid office. Our checklists in the Learning Center can help you organize this.