Student aid includes:
- Grants: financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund)
- Scholarships: financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund). These typically come from foundations, organizations, businesses, FSU, etc.
- Loans: borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest
- Work-Study: a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school
Aid and Other Resources from the Federal Government
The federal government offers a number of financial aid programs. Besides aid from the U.S. Department of Education (discussed below), you also might get
- Aid for serving in the military or for being the spouse or child of a veteran,
- Tax benefits for education,
- An Education Award for community service with AmeriCorps,
- Educational and Training Vouchers for current and former foster care youth, and/or
- Scholarships and loan repayment through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service, National Institutes of Health, and National Health Service Corps.
The U.S. Department of Education awards about $150 billion a year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to more than 15 million students. Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid also can 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 you’re interested in whether they do!
Apply for federal student aid using the FAFSA. And remember, the first F in “FAFSA” stands for “free”—you shouldn’t pay to fill out the FAFSA!
Aid from Florida State University & Other Organizations
Visit CARE’s Scholarship site for information on grants and scholarship opportunities from FSU and other external sources!