Paying for a Higher Education

Financial aid

Money or other aid that helps a student pay for educational expenses

Work study

A part time job offered to a student with financial need. The job will help pay for the students education

Scholarship

An offer of money to a student to pay for education expenses that usually merit- based and doesn’t require repayment

Merit

A qualification for finical aid based on scholastic aptitude and achievement and demonstrable talent, or other similar considerations

Grant

An offer of money to a student to pay for education expenses that us need-based and doesn’t not require repayment

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA) the application required by the Federal Government for calculating need based college financial aid

Student loans

Money borrowed by a student to pay for college or school related expenses that must be repaid

Interest

The fee paid for using other peoples money and also called a financial charge

Financial need

Qualification for financial aid based on limited personal or family resources

Federal Work Study Program

(FWS) a federally funded program that helps college students earn aid through part time work. Students find jobs through their college. The money goes toward paying college expenses

Pell Grant

A form of need-based federal financial aid awarded to students for post secondary education

Selective Service

An agency of the executive branch of the Federal government that registers men and is responsible for managing a draft, if required

Montgomery G.I. Bill

A federal program that helps people who served in the military pay for college, graduate school, and training programs

Post 9/11 G.I. Bill

A federal program that provides educational benefits to military service members who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001

PLUS Loan

A federal loan that graduate students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for education costs

CCS( the college scholarship service profile)

Short for college scholarship service profile, a supplemental form required by some schools, mostly private institutions, to assess the financial need of students. The form is administered by the college board

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The total cost, including all tuition, fees, and room and broad costs, for a student to attend a school