06/29/2023
What are the different types of financial aid available?
State and federal grants are awarded to undergraduate or graduate students. While federal grants are based on financial need, qualifications for state grants can vary. Most federal grants require students to attend four-year colleges, universities, community colleges or career schools. Like scholarships, state and federal grants generally do not have to be repaid, unless there is a change in a student's enrollment or financial need status.
Federal student loans are loans funded by the U.S. Department of Education. These loans generally come with a fixed interest rate, which means the interest rate stays the same over the life of the loan. If you request it, payments on most student loans can be deferred while a student is enrolled, meaning payments don't begin until after school is completed.
There are four types of federal student loans:
Subsidized federal student loans generally carry the most favorable terms, with fees and interest covered by the government while the student is enrolled. Subsidized federal student loans are made to students demonstrating financial need and generally do not require a credit check.
Unsubsidized federal student loans may have less favorable terms, and are not limited to students with financial need. They generally do not require a credit check.
PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) loans are made to graduate or professional students or parents of dependent undergraduate students. While eligibility is not based on financial need, a credit check is required. Borrowers with an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify. Payments on PLUS loans are typically not deferred while the student attends school.
Consolidation loans allow you to combine your federal student loans into a single loan. However, consolidating your loans may result in losing certain borrower benefits, such as interest rate discounts, principal rebates, or some loan cancellation benefits.
Private loans are typically offered through a bank and generally accrue interest on day one. This means that from the day you accept the loan, the money you owe for borrowing will start to add up. The longer you take to pay it off, the more money you’ll owe. Private loans can sometimes have changing, or variable, interest rates and are generally ineligible for income-driven repayment – repayment plans that account for your income, family size, state of residence and other personal factors. A credit check is generally required for private loans.
Many schools participate in federal or state work-study programs, which allow students with financial need to earn money to pay for school through part-time jobs.
