Aid Basics & Eligibility

Financial aid is money that helps students and their families cover the cost of higher education. It can come from the government, your school or private organizations, and it may be awarded based on your family's financial situation, your academic achievements, a combination of these or other factors. Understanding financial aid is an important step in planning for college.

You may be eligible for several types of financial aid to help lower your tuition costs.

Students must meet all eligibility criteria to be considered for financial aid awards. General requirements that apply to most federal and/or state awards are discussed below; however, individual awards have additional criteria that must be met and maintained throughout your academic career.