Financial Aid

Getting started

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-Planning Ahead: Start gathering information early.  Free information is readily available from:

  Beware of scholarship scams -- don't pay for free information!

Sources of Financial Aid

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Basic Assistance Categories:

Applying for Federal Student Aid?  You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.FAFSA.gov

Need-Based Student Aid: Federal Grants

Campus-Based Aid

  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
  • Federal Work Study – Contact your college financial aid office for more information about working on campus to help pay for education expenses.
  • Federal Perkins Loans: low-interest loans for students with exceptional financial need are made through the school’s financial aid office.

Federal Student Loans

"Congressional" Scholarships:

States offer residents a variety of scholarships, loans, and tuition exemptions.

Sources to find financial aid from private foundations, corporations, and organizations:

For more information, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243. 


Grants for Military Families, Minorities and Other Groups:

  Interested in public service? 

Federal assistance programs seek to encourage people to work in geographic areas or professions where there's a particular need (such as doctors in underserved areas), encourage underrepresented groups to enter a particular profession, and provide aid in exchange for services provided (such as volunteer and military service).

Repaying your loans

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After college, the federal government has ways to help you repay your loans.  Eligibility depends upon the type of loan, when it was made, and whether it's in default.  Check with your loan officer to find out if you qualify.

If you are having problems with your federal student loan and all other approaches fail, contact the Department of Education's Office of the Ombudsman.