In addition to the primary sources of financial aid (loans and scholarships), other kinds of aid are available to many students. These other types of aid fall into eight broad categories:
Free Scholarship Lotteries
Federal and State Government Aid
College-Controlled Aid
Student Profile-Based Aid
Aid for Graduate and Professional School
Aid for Elementary and Secondary School
Aid for Specific Activities
Innovative Programs
Free Scholarship Lotteries
Scholarship LotteriesSeveral sites have started giving away scholarships to attract traffic. Look here for a list of the largest free scholarship lotteries.
Federal and State Government Aid
US Federal Government AidHere you'll find information about the various forms of aid available from the federal government.
US State Government AidLook here for pointers to state aid programs and residency requirements for in-state tuition.
Section 529 Plans: Prepaid Tuition Plans and College Savings PlansSection 529 plans are state-sponsored college savings programs. The two major types are Prepaid Tuition Plans, which lock in current tuition rates, and State College Savings Plans, which offer more flexible investing options. Both are useful ways for families to save for their children's college education.
Scholarships for Volunteering and Community ServiceVolunteering can not only help the disadvantaged, but it can provide money for your college education. Learn about the National Service Scholarships Program, AmeriCorps, and other awards for community service.
Military AidAid resources for veterans and their dependents and for students interested in pursuing careers in the military.
Education Tax BenefitsInformation about the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits, the deduction for student loan interest, tax treatment of employer education assistance, and other tax benefits for education.
Employer Tuition AssistanceInformation about employer education assistance, including the $5,250 exclusion from income, employer-sponsored scholarships and surveys and statistics concerning employer tuition assistance.
College-Controlled Aid
School Financial Aid Office Web SitesLook here for information about your school's financial aid policies and procedures, including application deadlines.
Tuition Payment PlansTuition payment plans are short-term installment plans that split your tuition into equal monthly payments.
School-Specific Scholarships and FellowshipsScholarship and fellowship programs offered only at specific schools, including college-controlled merit scholarships.
College PartnershipsPartnerships between certain community colleges and four-year colleges make it easier for students to transfer from a community college into a four-year college. Studying for two years at a community college can save the student a significant amount of money.
Student Profile-Based Aid
International StudentsSources of financial aid and other useful information for foreign nationals studying in the US.
Canadian StudentsScholarships, loans and other sources of aid for Canadian students, in both Canada and the US.
Students with DisabilitiesResources specific to students with disabilities.
Female StudentsScholarships, grants and other awards intended specifically for female students.
Minority StudentsScholarships, award programs and advice specifically for members of ethnic minorities.
Older and Nontraditional StudentsFinancial aid information for students age 30 and older.
Jewish StudentsFinancial aid information for Jewish students.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered StudentsNational, regional and school-specific scholarships for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.
Undocumented Students and Illegal AliensFinancial aid and scholarships for undocumented students and illegal aliens.
Ayuda Financiera del Estudiante en EspanolFinancial aid information and resources in Spanish.
Cancer ScholarshipsScholarships for cancer patients, cancer survivors, children of a cancer patient or survivor, students who lost a parent to cancer, and students pursuing careers in cancer treatment.
Prestigious Scholarships and FellowshipsA list of the most prestigious, competitive and lucrative scholarships and fellowships.
Aid for Graduate and Professional School
Graduate SchoolOptions and tips for funding a postgraduate education.
Business SchoolAwards and advice specific to MBA students.
Law SchoolAwards and advice specific to law students.
Medical SchoolAwards, professional organizations and other resources specific to medical students.
Aid for Elementary and Secondary School
Private Elementary and Secondary SchoolsFinancial aid available to parents of children attending private elementary or secondary schools.
Aid for Specific Activities
ContestsSome groups, particularly professional organizations, hold contests that offer cash and other prizes.
Domestic Exchange and Study Abroad ProgramsA variety of loans, scholarships, grants and tuition-reduction options are available for students studying abroad, or participating in domestic exchange programs.
GrantsGrants are a form of financial aid, based on need, which you do not have to repay. Numerous private organizations and government agencies offer grants to students in all fields.
Sports Scholarships, Athletic Scholarships and Financial Aid for Student AthletesInformation about sports scholarships and other resources for the student-athlete.
Specific Majors or Courses of StudyScholarships and awards available to students pursuing specific majors, such as computer science, engineering, journalism, nursing, etc.
Innovative Programs
Student Sponsorships and Education InvestmentsPrivate benefactors and investors provide students with funding for their education in exchange for a fixed percentage of the student's future income for a fixed number of years. Many students find these as an attractive alternative to loans.
Early Awareness InitiativesEarly awareness initiatives try to increase the number of students pursuing a college education by encouraging them to consider college as a real possibility when they are young. Many lower-income children give up on college when they are very young, as early as the first or second grade. By the time they reach high school and change their minds, they often lack the necessary preparation. Early awareness programs try to stop pipeline leakage when the students are young by encouraging them to aspire to and plan for college. This increases the number of students pursuing challenging courses, the number of students graduating from high school, and the number of students matriculating in college.