The Basics on Grants and Scholarships - Short

Big Idea

Grants and scholarships are the ideal ways to pay for college since you don’t have to pay them back.

What You Need to Know

1. Most scholarships are merit based. They’re awarded to students with certain qualities, such as proven academic or athletic ability.
2. Most grants are need based.They’re usually awarded based on your or your family’s financial situation.
3. Grants and scholarships can come from the government, colleges, or private organization. Each has different requirements.
4. To apply, you’ll need to fill out forms like the FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the CSS Profile.
5. Scholarships and grants probably won’t cover all your college costs. Loans, family savings, and other sources of money are needed.

Go Deeper: What are the different types of financial aid?

Next Steps: Find Scholarships with Scholarship Search