College Funding

Ways to Pay for College
College is a big expense, however there are many sources of funding for college.  SJD students apply for grants and scholarships, work-study programs and educational loans to fund their college educations.

Grants and Scholarships:

Grants and scholarships are often called “gift aid” because they are free money—financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. Grants are often  need-based, while scholarships are usually  merit-based.      
                                         
Grants and scholarships can come from the federal government, your state government, your college or career school, or a private or nonprofit organization. Do your research, apply for any grants or scholarships you might be eligible for, and be sure to meet application deadlines! 

Work Study:

Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with  financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

Loans:

If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as part of your school’s  financial aid offer. A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with  interest.   

If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand who is making the loan and the terms and conditions of the loan. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, usually offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources. 

For more information visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/.