- College & Career
Scholarships and Financial Aid
What is financial aid?
What is financial aid?
Financial aid: Money that students receive to pay/support them during their post high school educational program. It may come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study. Financial Aid is designed to supplement the amount you and your family contribute. In order to find out if you are eligible for grants, scholarships, work study or loans, you are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Loans or the California Dream Act Application.
Grants: A financial award based on need; Student will not have to pay back a grant. Exception is the Community College Promise Program where they provide a two years free grant for all California students attending a California Community College regardless of financial need.
Scholarships: A financial award based on special ability, academic achievement, religious affiliation, ethnic background, special interest, or random drawing; Student will not have to pay back a scholarship.
Work Study: A federal program offering part-time jobs both on and off campus. The student will not repay work-study funds because they are trading work for financial aid.
Education Loans: Funds borrowed from a financial institution or the federal government. Student must repay educational loans, usually with interest.
Money that the student will need to pay back includes:
Loans: Both subsidized and unsubsidized
- Subsidized: Government pays interest while the student is in school.
- Unsubsidized: Student is responsible for the cost of interest while in school.