The main types of financial aid are: Grants: Need-based awards that don’t need to be paid back unless a student fails to meet some specific condition, like a minimum GPA. They often come from federal or state governments, and sometimes from individual colleges. Scholarships: Need or merit-based awards that don’t need to be paid back unless a student fails to meet some specific condition, like a minimum GPA. Scholarships can come from the government, colleges, or private organizations. Work-study: A program that allows students to earn money through part-time jobs, usually on campus. Loans: An amount of money that needs to be paid back, usually with interest. These can come from the federal government through FAFSA or from private lenders. Subsidized federal loans are usually the best option, because they don't accrue interest while a student is still in school.