Student Loans
What They Are:
These financial aid dollars must be repaid with interest. There are several types of loans available to students (in order of lowest interest rate to highest interest rate): federal subsidized student loans, federal unsubsidized student loans, federal Parent PLUS loans, and private student loans. All federal loans allow for a six-month grace period after a student graduates or drops below half time enrollment before the repayment period begins.
How To Get Them:
Federal student loans and parent PLUS loans are awarded through the FAFSA. Private student loans can be found through a number of sources like banks, credit unions, credit card companies, etc.
Very Important:
Federal loans are usually a better option than private loans. Federal loans offer a variety of repayment plans, lower interest rates, and are sometimes forgiven completely (if the student works in certain service positions after graduation).
What They Are:
These financial aid dollars must be repaid with interest. There are several types of loans available to students (in order of lowest interest rate to highest interest rate): federal subsidized student loans, federal unsubsidized student loans, federal Parent PLUS loans, and private student loans. All federal loans allow for a six-month grace period after a student graduates or drops below half time enrollment before the repayment period begins.
How To Get Them:
Federal student loans and parent PLUS loans are awarded through the FAFSA. Private student loans can be found through a number of sources like banks, credit unions, credit card companies, etc.
Very Important:
Federal loans are usually a better option than private loans. Federal loans offer a variety of repayment plans, lower interest rates, and are sometimes forgiven completely (if the student works in certain service positions after graduation).
Grants
What They Are:
These financial aid dollars do not have to be repaid. There are federal, state, and institutional grants. Most grants are awarded based on financial need, but sometimes they are awarded to students who wish to pursue specific research in a given field.
How To Get Them:
Filing the FAFSA is the most effective way to apply for federal and state grants. Colleges also use the information received from the FAFSA to award institutional grants to students with financial need.
Very Important:
The closer to January 1 that you file your FAFSA, the better your chances will be to get the most grant money that you’re eligible for. You must file your FAFSA by Missouri’s April 1 deadline to be eligible for state grant dollars like the Access Missouri grant.
Never pay to file your FAFSA. The first word in the acronym is “FREE”!
What They Are:
These financial aid dollars do not have to be repaid. There are federal, state, and institutional grants. Most grants are awarded based on financial need, but sometimes they are awarded to students who wish to pursue specific research in a given field.
How To Get Them:
Filing the FAFSA is the most effective way to apply for federal and state grants. Colleges also use the information received from the FAFSA to award institutional grants to students with financial need.
Very Important:
The closer to January 1 that you file your FAFSA, the better your chances will be to get the most grant money that you’re eligible for. You must file your FAFSA by Missouri’s April 1 deadline to be eligible for state grant dollars like the Access Missouri grant.
Never pay to file your FAFSA. The first word in the acronym is “FREE”!
Financial Aid
FAFSA4Caster - Use this tool before you file the FAFSA to estimate teh amount of federal financial aid that you'll be eligible to receive.
FAFSA - Use this website to file your FAFSA electronically.
FAFSA PIN - Use this website to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to sign your electronic FAFSA. Both the student and one parent needs to create a PIN
Federal Student Aid - Find information about federal student aid and student opportunities.
FAFSA4Caster - Use this tool before you file the FAFSA to estimate teh amount of federal financial aid that you'll be eligible to receive.
FAFSA - Use this website to file your FAFSA electronically.
FAFSA PIN - Use this website to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to sign your electronic FAFSA. Both the student and one parent needs to create a PIN
Federal Student Aid - Find information about federal student aid and student opportunities.