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Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college or career school affordable.

Check out the video above to learn about federal grants, loans, and work-study jobs and how they can help fund your student's education.

Besides financial aid, your student should also think about what they can do to lower their costs when they go to college.

Grants

A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, your student withdraws from school and owe a refund, or they receive a TEACH Grant and don’t complete your service obligation). A variety of federal grants are available, including:

• Pell Grants,
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG),
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, and
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.

Learn About Grants

Scholarships

Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school. This type of free money, which is sometimes based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study, can make a real difference in helping your student manage their education expenses.

Learn About Scholarships

Work-Study Jobs

The Federal Work-Study Program allows your student to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. They’ll earn at least the current federal minimum wage. However, they may earn more depending on the type of work they do and the skills required for the position. Their total work-study award depends on

• when they apply,
• their level of financial need, and
• their school’s funding level.

Learn About Work-Study

Loans

A loan is money your student borrows and must pay back with interest. If they apply for financial aid, they may be offered loans as part of their school’s financial aid offer. When they receive a student loan, they are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. They must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand their repayment options so they can successfully repay their loan.

Learn About Loans

Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate their eligibility for loans, grants, and work-study.

Apply for Financial Aid

Federal student aid from ED covers such expenses as tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Thousands of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs; ask the schools they're interested in whether they do!

Apply for federal student aid—grants, work-study, and loans—using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form. And remember, the first F in “FAFSA” stands for “free”—your student shouldn’t pay to fill out the FAFSA form!

The FAFSA form your student fills out should correspond with the school year they’re planning to seek aid for. For example, if they’re applying for financial aid for the 2023‒24 school year, fill out the 2023‒24 FAFSA form. If they plan to take summer classes, contact the school's financial aid office to determine which FAFSA form you should fill out.

Your student can estimate their eligibility for federal student aid and their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with our Federal Student Aid Estimator. Be sure to use the tool before filling out the FAFSA form.

Complete a FAFSA^® form

Aid for Military Families

There are special aid programs or additional aid eligibility for serving in the military or for being the spouse or child of a veteran.

Learn About Aid for Military Families

Aid for International Study

Federal student aid may be available for studying at a school outside the United States, whether they’re studying abroad or getting their degree from an international school.

Learn About Aid for International Study

Aid and Other Resources From the Federal Government

Besides aid from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the federal government offers a number of other financial aid programs. These programs include

• tax benefits for education;
• education awards for community service with AmeriCorps;
• educational and training vouchers for current and former foster care youth; and/or
• scholarships and loan repayment programs through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service, National Institutes of Health, and National Health Service Corps.

Aid From State Government

Other than federal aid, your student might be eligible for financial assistance from your state. Contact your state grant agency for more information.

Aid From Your Student's College or Career School

Many schools offer financial aid from their own grant and/or scholarship funds. Find out what might be available to your student:

• Visit the school’s financial aid page on its website, or contact the financial aid office.
• Ask at the department that offers their course of study; they might have a scholarship for students in their major.
• Fill out any applications the school requires for its own aid programs, and meet the school’s deadlines.