subject: College Financial Aid Options [print this page] There are many financial aid types accessible to students needing money for getting education. 1. Grants - A grant is considered one of the extremely desirable kinds of financial aid as it is basically free money. Grants are not borrowed but they are awarded that means they don't have to be repaid. Grants are typically awarded by state, federal and local governments, but also may be obtainable through other kinds of organizations. The Federal Pell Grant is the most common grant. Students can apply for such grants by completing the FAFSA used by various kinds of grant-awarding organizations. 2. Scholarships - The are academic awards, which can be utilized to disburse for college as well as other education programs. Similar to grants, scholarships don't have to be repaid. There are 4 essential scholarship types: Merit-Based Need-Based Student-Specific Career-Specific Scholarships are usually given by education corporations, institutions, professional associations, charitable foundations and local organizations. Students concerned in applying for education scholarships can begin by seeking scholarships online. 3. Work Study Programs - They allow students to have a part-time job and earn money for college costs. Lots of programs encourage college students to have work on campus, in community service positions and at a job somehow related to their major. Actaully, there are 2 essential work study program types: federal work study and non-federal work study. Federal programs are accessible to students demonstrating financial need. To become considered for federal work study programs, you should complete the FAFSA. And non-federal programs are seldom need-based. To become considered for such a program, students ought to ask their college about employment options obtainable on and off campus. 4. College Student Loans - Loans are not the best way to disburse for college since loans must be paid off (with interest). Though, this aid form may be the alternative for students, which don't have enough scholarships and grants to cover the price of tuition. There are several basic types obtainable to college students: Federal, Private, Peer-to-Peer, Social Networking and Family Loans.
