Types of student financial aid

Learn about the most common ways to get help paying for college and trade or career school. Options include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

Visit Types of Financial Aid on the Federal Student Aid website. You will learn about funding you can get from the government, your school, and private sources including:

• Grants - Federal grants are sources of financial aid that generally do not have to be repaid unless your educational or financial situation changes. Learn about the types of student grants, eligibility, and when grants must be repaid.
• Scholarships - This type of free money from nonprofit and private organizations may be based on academic merit, talent, financial need, or a particular area of study. Learn about finding and applying for scholarships.
• Work-study - The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. You will earn at least the current federal minimum wage, and maybe more based on the job and your skills. Learn more about the work-study program.
• Loans - When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money that you must pay back with interest. Learn more about the available types of federal student loans and the considerations to take when applying.

You may not need to hire a company to help you find financial aid. Instead, search online for scholarships or ask a school guidance counselor for help. Learn what questions to ask before you pay a company for help finding financial aid.