Federal & STATE Financial Aid
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
If you need help paying for college or career school, the office of Federal Student Aid can help you get the money you need. This video covers the entire financial aid process regarding the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It includes an overview of the FAFSA, student loan repayment (including responsible borrowing and repayment terms), grants, and work-study programs and qualifications, and the steps on how to fill out the FAFSA.
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS & FEDERAL STUDENT AID
Your eligibility for federal student aid can be affected by incarceration and/or the type of conviction that you have. In most cases, having a conviction doesn’t affect your eligibility for financial aid. If you have a drug related conviction, it probably doesn’t affect your eligibility but if you have a sex offence conviction, it might. Click on the "Criminal Convictions & Financial Aid" button to learn more about the impact of incarceration and/or the type of conviction on your eligibility for federal student aid.
*Even if you are ineligible for federal aid, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, because most schools and states use FAFSA information to award nonfederal aid, and you might be able to get some of those funds.
FREE MONEY: FEDERAL GRANTS
Federal grants are grants provided by the federal government to undergraduate students attending college or career school. These types of federal student aid generally do not have to be repaid. There are four major types of federal grants: the Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Scroll down to learn more about these types of grants!
Federal Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant offered to undergraduates. It's designed to assist students from low-income households, students who have exceptional financial need, and students who have not earned a bachelor's degree, graduate degree, or professional degree. Click on the "Federal Pell Grants" button to learn more!
Amount: For the 2022-2023 academic year, the Pell Grant amounts range from $700 to $6,895 and do not need to be repaid.
*Pell Grant lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters or the equivalent.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to an undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional financial need to help pay for their education. Click on the "Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants" button to learn more!
Amount: Awards can range from $100–$4,000 and do not need to be repaid.
*Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority
*Not all schools participate in this program
*Funds depend on availability at the school; check for the school’s deadline
IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN SERVICE GRANT
If your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, then you may be eligible for an Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant. Click on the "Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant" button to learn more!
TEACH GRANT
A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires you agree to complete a teaching service obligation as a condition for receiving the grant, and if you don't complete the service obligation, the TEACH Grant will be converted to a loan that you must repay, with interest. Click on the "TEACH Grant" button to learn more!
EARNED MONEY: FEDERAL WORK-STUDY
Federal Work-Study
This video is about federal work-study. It explains what federal work-study is, the benefits of federal work-study (i.e., gain job experience and money), and how to apply for federal work-study. Click on the "Federal Work-Study Program" button to learn more!
BORROWED MONEY: FEDERAL LOANS
This section explains the two types of federal student loans: Subsidized Direct Loans and Unsubsidized Direct Loans. This section includes videos on student loan repayment plans. Scroll down to learn more about each type of loan and your repayment options!
DIRECT LOANS: SUBSIDIZED Vs. Unsubsidized
The two most popular types of federal student loans are Subsidized Direct Loans and Unsubsidized Direct Loans. Both subsidized and unsubsidized loans are made to eligible students to help cover the cost of education at a college or career school. The following chart explains the characteristics of each loan! Click on the "Direct Subsidized Loans" & "Direct Unsubsidized Loans" to learn more!
STATE FINANCIAL AID
State financial aid is financial assistance that a state provides to eligible residents to help reduce their educational costs. Two examples of state aid include the Cal Grant and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Click on the buttons below to learn about the types of financial aid available in that state!
Depending on your college or university, your financial aid package might include institutional aid along with federal and state aid. Institutional aid comes from the college itself, and it typically includes grants and scholarships. Note that some institutions also offer their own work-study programs and loans. Check with your college or university's financial services office to learn about institutional financial aid and how to apply.