Financial Aid

Financial aid is any source of funding provided to help students pay for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and transportation. It comes in several forms: grants and scholarships (which do not require repayment), federal and private loans (which must be repaid, often with interest), and work-study programs (which offer earnings for part-time work).​

Aid may be awarded based on financial need, academic merit, athletic ability, or other achievements, and is available from federal and state governments, colleges and universities, private organizations, and employers. Students apply for financial aid through processes such as the FAFSA, and can choose to accept or reject the aid offered based on their eligibility and preferences. Not all aid is free; loans must be repaid and work-study earnings require student labor.