Have you and your family
saved enough money for you to go to college? If so, great! If not, you still can afford to go.
Money you receive to help pay for your college expenses is called financial aid, and all types of aid are explored in depth on this site. We also help you figure out whether you are eligible for aid and how to get it.
Explore each
opportunity for financial aid
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Scholarships are awarded to students who meet certain criteria. They do not have to be paid back. There are hundreds -- and you may qualify for some!
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Grants are awarded to students who have high financial need. They do not have to be paid back.
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Work-study positions offer you a way to earn money to put toward your education while you are attending college and may or may not depend on your financial need.
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Loans (to you or your parents) are funds you borrow that you must pay back.
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Tax credits and savings are additional incentives for education.
General
eligibility - Almost every student is eligible for some form of financial aid, so review the general requirements you must meet.
Estimate your eligibility - How much aid could YOU receive?
How to apply - Most colleges require students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This information is used by the financial aid office at your college to determine the types of aid for which you are eligible.
Your
actual eligibility - Once you do complete and submit the
FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will send a
Student Aid Report (SAR) to you and the colleges that you specified on your application.
How To Interpret Your Reward Offer - Your official offer of student aid from a college or university, community college, career or technical school will be in the form of an award letter or notice. Once you receive your award letter or notice, be sure to pay close attention to the offer as well as what you must do to accept the offer.