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Student Aid 101
You CAN make sense of the complicated world of student aid.
Need to pay for college but don't know where to begin? You've come to the right place. Student aid is available to help you cover school-related expenses. Take a few minutes and get to know the basics:
- Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
What's the difference between grants, scholarships, and loans? Which should you pursue first?
- Your Award Letter
Read the award letter you receive from a school's financial aid office to understand the types of student aid you are being offered.
- Types of Loans
Learn about the different loan types and choose the one that's right for you.
- The Basics of Loans
Understand the building blocks that are the foundation of student loans.
- The Language of Loans
Learn to talk the talk in the world of student aid.
- About Interest
Learn what interest is and how it can impact your student loan.
- Your Responsibilities
Learn what's expected of you before you agree to anything.
- Student Loan Q&A
Take our Q&A to find out more about your responsibilities as a borrower.
- This Hidden Truths of Student Loans
Don't get caught off guard. Learn important facts about student loans.
- Exit Counseling
Learn who needs to complete exit counseling before leaving school.
- Beware of "Debt Relief" Organizations
Learn why you shouldn’t pay for assistance with your loans.
Supporting Content
Helpful Hint
Don't know who services your federal loans?
To find out, sign in to NSLDS.ed.gov using your federal ID. Keep track of all of your servicers (PDF) and their contact information.
Test Your Knowledge
College is expensive. What was the average cost (tuition and fees) for a 4-year public school in the United States in 2013–2014?
- $7,020
- $8,893
- $12,756
1. $8,893
Although there are plenty of schools with higher tuition and costs, the average in the United States is $8,893 per year.
Source: The College Board, 2014