Types of Financial Aid

Rhodes Scholarships pay for post-graduate work at the University of Oxford. But this prestigious scholarship isn't just for students who spend all day in the library. Athletes tend to do well, too.

By Jamie Page Deaton

The Fulbright Scholarship helps students pursue research abroad in hopes of boosting international understanding. How can you apply for this scholarship, and what costs does it cover?

By Lance Looper

Postdoctoral research, also called a postdoc, is an option for people who have earned a Ph.D. Traditionally, they're a way for young scientists to gain more in-depth training in their field and to supply research institutions with inexpensive labor.

By Melissa Sandoval

Do you need some help financing your college education? Stafford loans are federal student loans designed to supplement scholarships, grants, work-study jobs and family resources to help meet the cost of tuition, fees, room and board.

By Marie Willsey

College is expensive, but students don't have to shoulder that financial burden alone. In fact, parents can contribute to their child's undergraduate expenses by applying for a PLUS loan.

By Dave Roos

Georgia started its HOPE Scholarship Program to reward academic achievement and retain in-state talent, and some other states now have similar programs. What does it take to get a HOPE Scholarship and keep it throughout college?

By John Kelly

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) helps students cover college costs while getting military training. How do you know if you're eligible for ROTC, and what service commitments are required?

By Lance Looper

Before you can even begin to tackle all the challenges college has in store, you first have to figure out how to pay for it. That's where financial aid can come in handy. But what's the difference between loans and grants, and which is right for you?

By Jennifer Sellers

As it gets increasingly difficult for students to pay for college, it helps to know every possible option for financial aid. If your need is exceptional, you can consider a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, which helps out with expenses not covered by other grants or loans.

By Christine Venzon

If you'd like to link your interest in law with your interest in the environment, you might consider a joint degree. But you'll need to jump through some hoops to finance it.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Private grants are a great way to help you finance your education, but how do you find them? Is there anything special you have to do to qualify for these unusual financial gifts?

By Josh Briggs

Of the many ways to get financial aid while paying for school, work-study programs offer more than just a dollar amount. They can also give students real work experience alongside an hourly wage that can go toward tuition.

By Martha Barksdale

Paying for college can be stressful for many students. Even getting loans can be hard, since you'll have to pay them back with interest. Direct loans, however, are low-interest loans funded by the U.S. government.

By Meghan E. Smith

As the first federal student loan, Perkins Loans help those with financial need afford college. How does this loan compare with others, and how did the Russian space program prompt its creation?

By Lance Looper

Federal and local governments offer a number of grants to help college students pay for their education. Are public grants easier to get than private grants? What do you need to do to qualify and apply?

By Jonathan Strickland

As confidence in the economy wavers, many people are looking for a way to become more marketable to employers. Business school degree is a logical step, but an MBA can come with a steep price tag. What financial aid opportunities are available for business graduate students?

By Lawrence Schumacher

Dental school isn't cheap. On top of tuition, books and other educational expenses, many students must pay for their own instruments. How do dental school students find financial aid to help them out?

By Jonathan Strickland

Incomes in the six figures help most lawyers chuckle through bad law jokes no problem. But actually paying for law school is no laughing matter. If you're determined to become a lawyer, how do you do it?

By Jessika Toothman

Members of AmeriCorps, a federally funded service program, have a chance to use financial aid toward higher education. How can you use the award once you've finished your term?

By Cherise Threewitt

For single parents, going back to school can seem practically impossible. What types of "free" scholarships and grants exist for single parents, and how can you find them?

By Julia Layton

Getting that college acceptance letter in the mail is exciting, but nothing can bring you down faster than navigating the student loan labyrinth. Knowing the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is only the first step.

By Linda C. Brinson

Scholarships and grants aren't just for college students. If you need aid for trade school education, there are plenty of places to apply for financial assistance.

By Sarah Winkler

While student loans may be your only way to pay for college, paying them back might be harder than you think. We'll break down navigating the rough road of federal and private student loans, and how to survive them after you graduate.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Education doesn't come for free, but it's well worth the cost, particularly if you're able to finance some or part of it through grants and scholarships. How can you get help to pay for vocational school?

By Gerlinda Grimes

College students have a lot to think about when paying for school. But students with disabilities have a lot of extra things to consider that add up in the long run. What kinds of special financial opportunities are available?

By Jessica Brown