Types of Financial Aid

Which Option is Best for You?

Understanding the difference between the multiple forms of financial aid will help you determine which options are best for you.

• GRANTS are gifts that do not need to be paid back. Grant decisions are based on family income, household size, reported assets, and the number of children in college. The most common is the Federal Pell Grant that pays for tuition, fees and books, and any unused money gets paid to the student. There are also the Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and the S.C. Needs Based Grants.
  
  
• SCHOLARSHIPS are gifts that do not require repayment. They can be awarded on various criteria such as academics, hometowns, gender, ethnicity or program of student. Some scholarships are even renewable from year-to-year. See also: LIFE Scholarship.
  
  
• LOANS are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest after you leave or graduate from school. Loans mean debt. To be financially responsible, request only what they need, not the higher amounts that may be offered.
  
  
• WORK STUDY The Federal Work Study - FWS - Program is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to students through part-time employment and encourages recipients to participate in community service activities. The FWS Program also provides opportunities for students to earn a portion of their educational costs while also developing skills, creativity, and responsibility; student development and preparation for the job market are fundamental goals of this program.
  
  
• LOTTERY The SC Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP) was established in 2001 under the SC Educational Lottery Act and implemented for the first time during 2002-03 academic year. It was created to provide a supplemental resource to South Carolina residents two-year public or independent institutions.