Types of financial aid and college funding to consider before taking out student loans

Article Highlights

• Whether you’re looking for federal or institutional aid, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®). You may also need to complete the CSS Profile^®.
• Take advantage of the types of financial aid that don’t need to be paid back, like grants and scholarships, before turning to student loans.
• Working in college, whether through the Federal Work-Study program or on your own, is another way to add to your college funding.

Most students rely on multiple sources of funding to pay for college. But not all types of financial aid are the same. We encourage you to take advantage of money that doesn’t have to be paid back—like grants and scholarships—before taking on debt in the form of student loans. Here, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of various sources of aid and also explain how to go about getting them.

Applying for grants

Grants are like gifts. Under most circumstances, you won’t need to pay them back, making them a great choice if they’re available to you. This type of financial aid comes from the federal government, your state government, or your school, and is often based on need. You can also visit StudentAid.gov to learn more about federal grants.

Whether you’re hoping to get federal aid (from the government) or institutional aid (from your school), the first step is filling out the FAFSA, which becomes available October 1 of each year. (Fill it out as early as possible!) Many schools also use the CSS Profile to help determine eligibility for grants and scholarships. Check the list of schools and programs to see if the ones you’re applying to require the CSS Profile.

Finding and winning scholarships

Scholarships are another form of aid that doesn’t need to be repaid, making them an excellent way to pay for your education. Typically, scholarships are awarded by schools and private organizations based on need, merit (academic, athletic, or otherwise), or even your family or background (like scholarships for military families). Contact your school advisor for the best local resources to find scholarships or use an online resource to search on your own. The Discover^® Student Loans Free Scholarship Search tool allows you to search over 3 million scholarships worth more than $18 billion. There is no registration required.

Scholarship deadlines occur throughout the year, so keep your search going and remember to track your due dates and application materials in a spreadsheet to stay organized. You can also continue to apply for scholarships throughout your time in college.

Work-study and working in college

The Federal Work-Study program is a need-based part-time employment program funded by the government. It allows students to earn money that can be used to help pay for college. If work-study is part of your financial aid package, you’ll typically be eligible for a job on campus, serving the community, or in the private sector but related to your coursework. You may be awarded work-study as a portion of your financial aid package if you’ve completed the FAFSA. You can also work in the summers and save money for school expenses, find a non-work-study part-time job that fits around your class schedule, or attend school part-time while working.

Family contributions and college savings plans

Money from parents, including loans and college savings accounts, typically cover more than half of students’ college costs, reports the site EducationData.org. Your family may have set up education saving accounts, such as 529 Plans, which are tax-advantaged investment accounts specifically for college costs. Or, they may have money set aside in traditional savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. Parents can also take out their own student loans (separate from loans where the student is the primary borrower) to help close the gap between financial aid and the cost of attendance (COA). Talk to your parents about what savings they have and how much they may be able to contribute to your education.

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