Alt

tuition assistance

saving for school

Post-secondary education, while extremely valuable, is not extremely cheap. Here are the five main ways people pay for school.

Scholarships

Scholarships are financial gifts that help you pay for school. They can come from a college, community group, business or the government. Scholarships are granted based on different criteria, including your location, race, ethnicity, life experience, musical ability, sports ability or other characteristics.

Scholarship Finder
woman sitting at desk with laptop
FAFSA document

Federal Aid

Students may receive a combination of these in a financial aid package the school puts together after you’ve been accepted. The first step to get financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

learn more

Loans

A loan is money you have to pay back. Government-backed loans usually have the lowest interest rates, while loans through a private bank or institution may cost you more in the long run.

Loan Education
hands signing contract

Grants

Grants are awards you don’t have to pay back. Grants mostly come from the government, such as the Federal Pell Grant. Learn more about grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Financial Aid Office.

Grant Information

Work-Study

Work-study is on-campus employment offered through the school. It helps you earn money to pay for your education and is often awarded on a per-needs basis.

Work-Study Opportunities
group of people working on desktop computers

Other Ways to Help Pay for Education

Alt

Tax Benefits

If you pay any amount for higher education, you probably qualify for a tax credit or deduction on next year’s taxes.
Explore
Alt

Veterans Benefits

Veterans may be eligible for a variety of education benefits through GI Bill programs.
Explore
Alt

Workforce Training Programs

Training programs that offers tuition assistance for eligible people looking to secure employment in an approved training program. To learn more about the Workforce Training Program, contact your job service office to schedule a meeting with an employment specialist.
Explore