Higher Education Funding Opportunities

http://www.studentloans.gov - Lots of information about applications, available funds and more

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov - Free Application for Student Aid – Need-based federal and state grants

https://financialaid.arizona.edu/scholarships/Default.aspx - University of Arizona scholarships

http://students.asu.edu/scholarships/all - Arizona State University scholarships

http://www4.nau.edu/finaid/types_of_aid/scholarships.html - Northern Arizona University scholarships

http://www.fastweb.com – Online scholarship database

http://www.students.gov – Student resources

Once an applicant has been accepted to a university, he or she should ask if additional scholarships specific to the intended major are available.

Scholarships do not need to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded by private or public entities based on merit (academic performance), financial need, or personal background. Scholarships are often renewable annually if certain criteria are met.

Grants are gifts which do not need to be repaid. Grants are need-based awards and may have a merit component.

Tribal scholarships and grants are available exclusively to Native American students.

Some federal aid is available specifically to veterans and their families.

Work study is a need-based federal program where students are placed in government, state or non-profit jobs with the opportunity to work for tuition.

Student loans must be repaid and are need-based. Various types of loans are available, including:

 - Federal Stafford Subsidized Loans – Federal loans in which the government pays accrued interest while the student is in school at least half time, and during any grace period after the student graduates before repayment begins.
- Federal Stafford Unsubsidized Loans – Federal loans available to students. Interest begins accumulated immediately upon initial payment.
- Federal Parent PLUS Loan – Not need-based. This loan is available to parents of dependent students.

Special aid programs are also available to students interested in specific high-demand career fields, such as teaching and public service.