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Types of Financial Aid


Most federal student aid is need-based, taking into account an expected family contribution (EFC). Need-based financial aid comes in three basic types:

  1. Grants and Scholarships, which are considered gift aid and generally don't have to be paid back (sometimes a repayment is required if a student withdraws);
  2. Work-Study, which is money that you earn by working part-time while in school; and
  3. Loans, which are funds that you (or your parent) borrow and must be paid back, usually after you leave school.

The following chart details the main federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Not all schools participate in all of the programs listed.

Types of Financial Aid

Program

Description

Application

Annual/Aggregate Amounts

Eligibility*

Repayment Required

Federal Pell Grant

Grant
program

FAFSA
required
annually

  • Annual minimum and maximum vary
  • $380 minimum for 2023-24
  • $7,395 maximum for 2023-24
  • 600% lifetime limit
  • Undergraduate students without first baccalaureate or professional degree
  • Certain students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teaching certification program
  • Based on need

No

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Campus-based grant program; funds awarded by Institution

FAFSA required annually

  • $200 annual minimum
  • $4,000 annual maximum (students on approved study abroad programs may receive up to $4,400)
  • No aggregate limit
  • Undergraduate students without baccalaureate or professional degree
  • First priority given to Federal Pell Grant recipients with “exceptional financial need” (defined by law)

No

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

 

Campus-based employment program; funds awarded by Institution

FAFSA required annually

  • No minimum or maximum
  • Award amount is dictated by school policy
  • Current hourly rate is $11
  • Undergraduate and graduate students
  • Based on need

No

Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct Loan)—Subsidized and Unsubsidized  Loans**

Direct Loan funds from federal government;  fixed interest rate

FAFSA required annually; MPN obtained from Direct Loan school

  • $3,500 1st year undergraduates
  • $4,500 2nd year undergraduates
  • $5,500 3rd year undergraduates
  • Annual limits prorated for programs and remaining periods of enrollment less than an academic year
  • $23,000 subsidized undergraduate aggregate limit
  • $2,000 limit for dependent students (unsubsidized)
  • $6,000 limit for independent (unsubsidized)
  • $57,500 combined sub & unsub undergraduate aggregate limit
  • Undergraduate enrolled at least half-time
  • Must first have determination of eligibility/ineligibility for Federal Pell Grant
  • Must determine eligibility for subsidized Loan before determining eligibility for unsubsidized Loan
  • Interest subsidy based on need
  • Unsubsidized funds may be used to replace EFC

Yes; begins 6 months after cessation of at least half-time enrollment; deferment possible; no interest subsidy on unsubsidized loan

FFEL/Direct PLUS**

FFEL funds from private lenders; Direct Loan funds from federal government; 8.5% fixed  interest rate for FFEL PLUS and 7.9% fixed interest rate for Direct Loan PLUS

FAFSA required annually; PLUS MPN obtained from FFEL school or lender or from Direct Loan school

No annual or aggregate amounts, except parent or graduate/professional student may not borrow more than difference between cost of attendance and other financial assistance student expects to received

  • Natural and adoptive parents (and stepparents if included on FAFSA) of eligible dependent undergraduates enrolled at least half time and graduate/professional students
  • No adverse credit history
  • Must not be in default on a federal loan
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • May be used to replace EFC

Yes; begins 60 days after fully disbursed