Important Things You Should Know About State Aid

"Many students need financial aid to afford college, and most tend to assume it only comes from the federal government. But did you know attending college in your home state can offer benefits beyond simply paying in-state tuition rates?" Collegexpress reports. 

"Most states have a state grant or scholarship program for residents—sometimes many, according to Jacquelyn Cottom, Assistant Director of State Relations and Advocacy for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrations (NASFAA). Designed to improve access to college, state financial aid programs encourage students to stay in state to contribute to the state workforce and economy after graduation. According to College Board’s 2020 report, California, Florida, Georgia, New York, and Texas granted 48% of all state aid dollars in 2018–2019—but no matter where you live, it’s worth to investigate what your state offers for financial help for college."

..."State aid can be merit based, need based, or need based with a merit component. Eligibility requirements may include a specific GPA, standardized test scores, income level, or a particular major. It may also be geared toward a specific type of institution. Check directly with your state higher education agency for the most current requirements. From there, talk to financial aid offices at your schools of interest. 'It’s critical to communicate directly with the institution(s) you’re researching to determine whether a state grant and/or scholarship program is available for students at that particular school,' Cottom says."

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

 

Publication Date: 10/19/2021

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