A quick comparison
| Type | What it is | Repaid? |
|---|---|---|
| Grant | Money toward school costs, often based on financial need or a program purpose. | Generally no |
| Scholarship | An award, often based on achievement, background, field of study, or another stated criterion. | Generally no |
| Work-study | A part-time job, often on or near campus, whose pay helps with costs. | No, you earn it |
Where they overlap
The line between grant and scholarship is not strict. Some organizations call their awards grants, and some schools bundle several kinds of help into one package. When you read an offer, look past the label to the conditions: who qualifies, how much, for how long, and what you must do to keep it.
Work-study in a sentence
Work-study is not a lump of money. It is permission to work a job that is funded in part through a program, and you are paid for the hours you work. It can lower what you pay out of pocket over the term, but only if you take the job and work the hours.
Questions worth asking a financial aid office
- Which grants or scholarships does this school offer, and what are the deadlines?
- Are any awards renewable, and what do I need to do to keep them?
- Does outside aid change what the school offers me?
- Who should I contact if my situation changes?
One caution
Aid packages can also include loans, which are not free money and must be repaid. A clear award letter separates them. Our guide to reading an award letter shows how to tell the difference.
General information only. Stipelo is not a school, lender, scholarship provider, or financial aid office, and this is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Programs, rules, and dates vary and change; check with your school’s financial aid office or the official program website.
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