Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study employment are all considered financial aid.
- Loans & work-study employment - because loans must be repaid and student employment must be earned, they are sometimes referred to as “self-help.”
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Scholarships and grants - because these do not have to be repaid, they are sometimes referred to as “gift aid” or “free money.”
Typically, applicants are offered a financial aid package consisting of a combination of awards from various types of aid programs.