Funding for financial aid may come from the federal government, state government, private sources, and from the colleges and universities themselves. Financial assistance consists of several types: grants and scholarships, loans and work-study.
- Grants and scholarships do not have to be repaid. Grants are often need-based, and scholarships have a wide range of criteria. Consider the primary sources for grants and scholarships. The federal government and educational institutions (colleges and universities) provide the majority of this type of funding.
- Work-study programs provide students with campus jobs as part of their financial aid package or provide on-the-job training which offsets the cost of the program.
- Loans need to be repaid with interest.
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The main source of your financial award will most likely come from the college or university to which you've been accepted. Some offer scholarships based on merit or special talent. There are interest-based scholarships, for example, a scholarship given to a musician who will not be majoring in music. Often, students are automatically considered for all scholarships they qualify for when they apply for admission. Other scholarships require a separate application, perhaps including the submission of an essay or portfolio, and these applications will have their own, separate deadlines. The way to find out what's on offer is to search each institution's website.
For an overview of financial aid, you can watch this presentation by Jennifer Satalino, The College Place Director. Jennifer has served as both a director of admissions and of financial aid and is a founding member of the Oregon College Access Network. She has particular expertise in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and assisting undocumented students as they pursue postsecondary education.
For an overview of financial aid, you can watch this presentation by Jennifer Satalino, The College Place Director. Jennifer has served as both a director of admissions and of financial aid and is a founding member of the Oregon College Access Network. She has particular expertise in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and assisting undocumented students as they pursue postsecondary education.
