State financial aid directory for all U.S. states and territories

If you’re planning to go to college, you probably know all about the FAFSA and the different types of federal financial aid programs that are out there. 

One thing that makes the student aid process more confusing is that each state also has its own student aid programs for residents of the state. Some states offer aid to a large part of all resident students, while others only offer aid to attendees of state schools.

Regardless of where you live, state financial aid can be a valuable source of money for college. This directory will break down the options available in every state (plus DC and a few U.S. territories).

Alabama (AL)

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education offers grants to some college students.

The Alabama Student Assistance program offers grants ranging from $300 to $5,000 per year to students based on their level of financial need. The Alabama Student Grant Program doesn’t consider need and offers grants up to $1,200 per year.

Students can also receive merit-based awards that cover the full cost of tuition and books at public 2-year colleges and universities in the state.

Visit the Alabama Possible website for more information.

Alaska (AK)

Alaska has both scholarship and loan-based aid available. 

The Alaska Performance Scholarship offers between $2,378 and $4,755 per year based on the student’s high school GPA and standardized test scores.

The Alaska Education Grant awards up to $4,000 per year based on the student’s financial need.

The ACPE loan program offers student loans on top of federal Stafford loans, with similar rates and terms. They can be used in or out of state.

Visit the Alaska Commission on Secondary Education website for more information.

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona’s student financial aid programs include grants for low-income students and forgivable loans for future teachers.

Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP) offers up to $2,500 per academic year to students based on their financial need.

The Arizona Teach Student Loan Program gives students up to $7,000 per year if they plan to teach at a public school in Arizona. You can get the loan in up to 3 years. The balance is forgiven if you teach for that many years, plus one.

Visit the Arizona Financial Aid website for more information.

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas offers an easy-to-use scholarship search tool, as well as a single application that makes students eligible for more than 25 scholarships they can use to help pay for college.

There’s also the Find My Future program, which helps students learn more about the financial aid programs that are available to them.

Visit the Arkansas Department of Higher Education website for more information.

California (CA)

California has a robust financial aid program for its students.

The Cal Grant program offers funds to students who attend a state school and can be based on financial need or merit.

There are also scholarships available for students from specific family situations, including those who spent time in the foster system or those from families with middle-class incomes. The state also supports students pursuing careers in teaching or law enforcement.

Visit the California Student Aid Commission website for more information.

Colorado (CO)

Colorado has its own version of the FAFSA, the CAFSA, that makes you eligible for state aid programs even if you can’t fill out the FAFSA.

The state also has its own version of work-study, which helps you earn funds for college. Plus, the College Opportunity Fund can help you cover some of the costs of in-state public schools.

There are also programs for children of public servants who have died or become disabled in the line of duty.

Visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education website for more information.

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut offers a few scholarship programs.

The Roberta B. WIllis scholarship program offers need-based aid up to $5,250 per year to students who also performed well in high school. 

There is also a corresponding grant program that does not consider academic merit, awarding up to $4,500 in total.

Families can use CHESLA loans to borrow funds at a low interest rate.

Visit the Connecticut Office of Higher Education website for more information.

Delaware (DE)

Delaware offers scholarships, grants, and loans to its residents. The awards can vary widely.

For example, the B. Bradford Barnes Memorial scholarship covers the full cost of attendance at the University of Delaware.

An easy option is the Scholarship Incentive Program. Students can earn $1,000 simply by filling out the FAFSA in a timely manner.

Visit the Delaware Department of Education website for more information.

District of Columbia (DC)

Washington DC has the DC Tuition Assistance Program, which offers a grant (of up to $10,000 for public college attendees) to resident students that display financial need.

The DC Futures program is another need-based scholarship of up to $8,000 annually, available to resident students. It also includes college coaching and support.

The Mayor’s Scholars program is a third need-based program for city residents.

Visit the Washington DC Financial Aid website for more information.

Florida (FL)

Florida offers multiple financial aid programs.

The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a merit-based award for National Merit scholars.

The Bright Future Scholarship program offers multiple different awards with requirements such as academic merit, financial need, or community service.

There are also incentive programs offering aid to students pursuing specific careers, such as education, farm work, or law enforcement.

For more information, visit the Florida Student Scholarship and Grant Programs website.

Georgia (GA)

Georgia gives residents the opportunity to earn scholarships and loans.

The HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships offer awards based on students’ academic achievements. There are also grant programs for students based on financial need. Some grants are available based on the student’s course of study, such as truck driving or law enforcement.

The state also offers loans for up to $4,000 per year.

Visit the GAFutures website for more information.

Guam (GU)

Residents of Guam can get aid for the Guam Student Financial Assistance Program.

Awards focus largely on assisting students studying specific topics, including STEM, social work, nursing, and other healthcare professions. 

For students choosing other majors, the Access to Higher Education Financial Assistance Program offers aid to students who display academic merit and financial need.

Government employees who are working toward a degree can earn the Pedro “Doc” Sanchez Scholarship.

Visit the University of Guam financial aid website for more information.

Hawaii (HI)

Students from Hawai’i can use the UH Common Scholarship Application to apply for aid at all of the state’s schools.

One available program is the Hawai’i Promise Scholarship, which offers aid to students based on their financial need.

The B Plus Scholarship is awarded to students who had a 3.0 GPA in high school and who demonstrate financial need.

The Regents and Presidential Scholarships focus on high-achieving students—only 20 students are chosen each year.

Visit the University of Hawai'i Financial Aid website for more information.

Idaho (ID)

Students in Idaho can benefit from the state’s many scholarship programs.

One is the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, which offers up to $3,500 per year to students who earned a 2.7 GPA (or better) and demonstrate financial need.

The GEAR UP scholarship offers aid to students who participated in the GEAR UP program and who attend select schools.

The postsecondary scholarship gives aid to students who graduate high school with at least 10 semester credits and who get a matching scholarship from a business or industry representative. Visit the Idaho Board of Education website for more information.

Illinois (IL)

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has a few aid programs for students. Many focus on students pursuing specific careers.

The Golden Apple Scholars program offers $2,500 to $5,000 to students, especially minority students, pursuing a career in teaching.

The Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program can exempt you from all tuition and fees at eligible colleges if you agree to work in special education. 

Visit the Illinois Student Assistance Commission website for more information.

Indiana (IN)

Residents of Indiana can take advantage of a few different aid programs. 

The state’s work-study program can supplement federal work-study, helping students earn more funds for college expenses.

The Tuition-Free Training Grant offers funding for specific education programs, such as manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

The Income-Eligible Hoosier Scholarship is a need-based aid program for students attending eligible schools.

Visit the Indiana Commission for Higher Education site for more information.

Iowa (IA)

Iowa has a host of scholarship and loan repayment programs for students.

The Iowa Tuition Grant is available to residents based on financial need. The Future-Ready Last-Dollar award is similar, covering the last portion of students’ college costs.

The state’s loan repayment programs help some students pay off their student loans. These focus on students in specific careers, such as doctors working in rural Iowa, mental health professionals, and educators. Awards can range from $4,000 a year to as much as $200,000 in total.

Visit the Iowa College Aid website for more information.

Kansas (KS)

Kansas has multiple scholarship and grant programs available to students in the state.

The Technical Workforce grant offers funding to students in eligible technical education programs.

The Comprehensive Grant offers up to $3,500 per year to students at select private and public schools in the state.

There are also programs focused on students pursuing specific careers, such as computer science, education, or nursing.

Visit the Kansas Board of Regents website for more information.

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky offers need and merit-based aid programs. 

The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship offers aid to students who earn a 2.5 GPA or better in each year of high school. Awards range from $125 to $500 for GPAs from 2.50 to 4.00. Bonuses of up to $500 are available based on ACT scores.

The College Access Grant Program is a need-based award offering up to $2,900 to students who demonstrate need.

Visit the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority website for more information.

Louisiana (LA)

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) offers scholarships and grants.

The TOPS program awards aid to students who attend a public college in the state. The TOPS Tech program is a focused award for students in vocational training.

Other awards include the Chafee Voucher, which offers $5,000 per year to students in the foster system, and the GO Grant, which offers up to $3,000 per year to low-income students in Louisiana.

Visit the LOSFA website for more information.

Maine (ME)

Mainers can take advantage of scholarship and tuition waiver programs.

The Doctors of Maine’s Future scholarship covers up to $25,000 of college costs for students in medical school. 

The Tuition Waiver Program assists foster children and dependents of public service workers killed in the line of duty.

Maine also offers reduced tuition to some state universities for students from other New England states.

Visit the Finance Authority of Maine website for more information.

Maryland (MD)

Maryland has a variety of grant and aid programs.

The Guaranteed Success Grant covers 100% of the student’s financial need. Students must make no more than 130% of the poverty level and have a 2.5 GPA to qualify.

The Part-Time Grant is for students dually enrolled in high school and college. The Near Completer Grant helps students who almost finished a degree go back to school and finish their education.

For more information, visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission website.

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts offers grants, scholarships, tuition waiver programs, and loans to help college students.

Tuition waiver programs largely focus on students pursuing specific careers, such as tech or education.

The loan offers students up to $4,000 per year at zero percent interest, with a lifetime limit of $20,000.

Scholarships and grants offer varying amounts to students attending one of the state’s public schools.

For more information, visit the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance website.

Michigan (MI)

Michigan has multiple aid programs available.

The Future Educator programs offer up to $10,000 in scholarships and $9,600 in stipends to students pursuing a career in teaching.

The Dual Enrollment program covers the cost of up to 10 college courses for students also enrolled in grades 9 through 12.

There are also competitive and need-based awards and grants available that can cover up to the full cost of tuition at public universities in the state.

Visit the Michigan Student Aid website for more information.

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota has multiple grants, scholarship programs, and loan repayment assistance.

State grants are awarded based on financial need, with the majority going to students with family incomes under $50,000.

Some scholarships are based on academic merit while others are focused on specific communities, such as American Indians.

The state’s loan repayment programs help nonprofit or state employees, as well as teachers, pay off their student loans, offering up to $1,000 per year in aid.

For more information, visit the Minnesota Office of Higher Education website.

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi’s students can apply for grants, scholarships, and forgivable loans for the state.

One scholarship program, the HELP program, offers up to the full cost of tuition and fees to students with a 2.5 GPA and financial need. There are also merit-based grants, like the MSEG, which offers up to $2,500 per year.

The state’s forgivable loan programs focus on future healthcare professionals, with up to $8,000 that can be forgiven after working 2 years as a nurse in the state. For more information, visit the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.

Missouri (MO)

Missouri has a host of grant programs for students to take advantage of.

For example, the A+ Scholarship Program awards students as much as $196 per credit hour based on their academic performance. The Access Missouri program is a need-based grant offering up to $2,850 per year.

Students who took Advanced Placement courses in math and science can receive a one-time grant of $500.

For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development website.

Montana (MT)

Montana’s public universities have scholarships based on merit, course of study, and financial need.

The MUS Honor Scholarship awards as much as the full cost of tuition to academically-strong students.

The STEM and Healthcare Scholarship gives students as much as $6,000 to pursue a degree in those fields. There are similar grants available for students in technical or trade programs.

For more information, visit the Montana University System website.

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska has college aid programs for a variety of students.

One program, the Access College Early grant, provides aid to students dually enrolled in high school and college. The Community College Gap Assistance program is another need-based program that helps students attending community college.

There are other programs available for adult learners and students who demonstrate significant financial need.

Visit the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education’s website for more information.

Nevada (NV)

Nevada has a few scholarship programs available to students in the state.

The Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship pays up to $10,000 in tuition for Nevada residents attending in-state schools. Students must have a 3.25 GPA in high school to qualify.

The Kenny C. Guinn Memorial Scholarship is another program offering $5,000 in aid to 4 students in the state, 2 from the north and 2 from the south.

Visit the Nevada State Treasurer Office website for more information.

New Hampshire (NH)

The state of New Hampshire does not have a grant program that offers aid to students. It also doesn’t assist with student lending. However, students in the state can earn scholarships. The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation offers as much as $7 million in awards to students across the state each year, with awards focusing on all different types of students and educational goals.

For more information, visit the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation website.

New Jersey (NJ)

Students in New Jersey can earn scholarships and grants to help pay for school.

The Tuition Aid Grant is a need-based program that offers up to $13,590 to resident students attending school in the state. Students at community colleges can use the Community College Opportunity Grant to cover up to 50% of the cost of school.

The NJSTARs scholarship awards students in the top 15% of their high school as juniors or seniors.

Visit the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority website for more information.

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico offers scholarship, grant, and loan programs.

Scholarships and grants can award as much as the full cost of an education at a public school based on merit and/or financial need.

The state also helps certain professionals, including teachers and health professionals, repay their student loans. Loan-for-service programs forgive loans for in-state students who commit to working in high-demand fields in the state after school.

Visit the New Mexico Higher Education Department website for more information.

New York (NY)

New York has a tuition assistance program and scholarships for students.

The TAP offers need-based financial aid to students based on the information included in their FAFSA. The award can be as high as $5,665 per year.

Scholarships from the state can depend on financial need or academic merit and award varying amounts, from as little as $500 per year to more than $5,000 per year. Some programs are restricted to specific groups, such as dependents of the victims of 9/11.

For more information, visit the New York Higher Education Services Corporation website.

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina has state grant and scholarship programs for students.

Most of the state’s programs are need-based, assisting students based on the information in their FAFSA. To be eligible for most programs, students must study at UNC or a community college, but some scholarships can cover costs at private non-profit schools. For more information, visit the College Foundation of North Carolina website.

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota offers grants, scholarships, and tuition waiver programs.

Tuition waivers are available to certain people, including law enforcement officers, national guard members, dependents of emergency responders killed in the line of duty, and others.

The state also offers grants for as much as $1,100 to students based on their financial need.

The ND Scholars program gives students as much as the full cost of tuition at their school. Students must rank in the 95th percentile or better of their graduating class.

For more information, visit the North Dakota University System website.

Ohio (OH)

The Ohio Department of Higher Education offers multiple aid programs to students.

One unique program is the Second Chance Grant, which offers up to $2,000 to students who are re-enrolling to finish their college education.

First-time college students can receive the Choose Ohio First Scholarship if they choose to enter a STEM program in the state.

Another need-based aid program, the Ohio College Opportunity Grant, offers up to $4,200 in grant aid to students who need help paying for school.

Visit the Ohio Department of Higher Education website for more information.

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma has multiple state scholarship programs.

The premier award is the OK Promise, which offers a full ride to students who meet income, academic, and student conduct requirements.

Outside of need-based programs, top students can earn the Academic Scholars Program award, which offers up to $5,500 per year to students who meet requirements, such as becoming a National Merit Scholar, scoring 1550 on the SAT, or ranking in the top 99.5% of SAT or ACT takers.

For more info, check out the OK College Start website.

Oregon (OR)

Oregon students can submit the Oregon Student Aid Application to make themselves eligible for grants and scholarships.

Many grants are need-based, such as the Oregon Opportunity Grant and the Oregon Promise Grant, which can offer up to $4,692 in aid per year.

More than 600 state scholarships are available, including the early bird scholarship, a $1,000 award you might win solely for submitting your FAFSA/ORSAA early. 

For more information, check out the Oregon Student Aid website.

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania offers grants and low-cost loans to students.

You can apply for all of the state’s grants using a simple application and renew the award each year to continue receiving aid.

The state’s student loans have low interest rates that are competitive with federal loans. Students can borrow as little as $1,500 or as much as the full cost of attendance at their school, up to a maximum of $1,500. Students from nearby states can also apply for these loans. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency website.

Puerto Rico (PR)

Puerto Rico residents are eligible for various federal grants and assistance from the local government. 

The State Department of Education, State Higher Education Agency, Special Education Agency, and State Adult Education Agency all have programs available to assist Puerto Ricans with college costs.

For more information, visit the Department of Education’s website.

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island offers the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship, which is a last-dollar scholarship bridging the gap between a student’s other aid and the full cost of their education. This award is need-based and can help cover educational costs.

The state also offers funding for students who want to dually enroll in high school and college courses.

For more information, visit the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner's website.

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina’s government offers both scholarships and need-based financial aid to its students.

Scholarships are largely based on academic merit, with awards based on standardized test scores and high school GPAs. High achievers can earn as much as $7,500 per year for college.

The state’s need-based grants offer $3,500 in funding to students who are having trouble affording higher education in the state.

For more information, visit the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s website.

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota gives its residents access to reduced tuition programs, scholarships, and grants.

Reduced tuition is available to residents of South Dakota and nearby states, as well as state employees and military affiliates.

Scholarships mostly focus on in-demand fields in the state, such as awards for educators.

Need-based grants can award students as much as $2,000 per year to help cover college expenses.

For more information, visit the South Dakota Board of Regents website.

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee has multiple scholarships and grants available.

The HOPE scholarship awards up to $2,850 per year to students with at least a 3.0 GPA. Other merit scholarships award decreasing amounts.

Grant programs are largely need-based and focus on students with unique circumstances, such as independent students.

There are also programs for those pursuing specific careers, such as nursing. You can visit the Tennessee Higher Education Commissions & Student Assistance Corporation website for more information.

Texas (TX)

Texans can use the state’s grants and scholarships to help pay for college.

The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant offers need-based aid to students at 2-year colleges, while the Toward EXcellence, Access, and Success Grant Program (TEXAS Grant) offers awards to those at 4-year schools. Awards can total up to $5,379 per semester.

Scholarship programs are available and usually focus on specific courses of study, such as accounting or education, or backgrounds, such as members of the military.

For more information, visit the College for All Texans website.

Utah (UT)

Students in Utah have access to a variety of need and merit-based aid programs.

The Opportunity Scholarship is a merit-based award that students can apply for as high school seniors. The award offers $1,000 per semester for up to 4 semesters of college.

The state’s grant programs focus on in-demand fields in the state, including education and public safety.

Visit the Utah System of Higher Education website for more details.

Vermont (VT)

Vermont has grants, scholarships, and interest-free, forgivable loans for in-demand fields.

Grant programs can award students as much as $14,000 based on their financial need. The state has a booklet of scholarship programs, with awards ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

The Workforce Development Funding Programs offers forgivable loans to students pursuing careers in fields like nursing, the trades, and early childhood education.

For more info, visit the VSAC website.

Virginia (VA)

Virginians can benefit from their state’s scholarship and grant programs.

The Virginia Commonwealth Award is one need-based grant program offering assistance to students who complete the FAFSA and attend a public college in Virginia. The Tuition Assistance Grant is another need-based award available to students at select schools.

The state also offers awards that take academic achievement into account. Award amounts depend on factors such as your school, your GPA,  and the state’s aid budget.

For more information, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s website.

Virgin Islands (VI)

The US Virgin Islands has financial aid programs specifically for residents of the island. To be eligible, students must:

• Be bonafide USVI residents

• Graduate from a USVI high school

• Attend college full-time

• Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher

Awards can range from $600 to as much as $45,000 per year.

For more information, visit the Virgin Islands Board of Education’s website.

Washington (WA)

Washington state has need-based, merit-based, and career-based aid available.

Need-based programs include the Washington College Grant, which offers as much as the full cost of tuition to resident students.

The American Indian Endowed Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for those with close social or cultural ties to a tribe or community in the state.

Workforce programs offer aid to students looking to work in education, aerospace, or healthcare.

For more info, visit the Washington Student Achievement Council website.

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin has need-based grants and merit scholarships for residents.

Need-based programs include the Wisconsin Grant, which offers up to $3,150 per year to resident students at public schools in the state.

Scholarships, like the Academic Excellence Scholarship, can award up to $2,250 to academically-gifted students.

For more information, visit the State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board’s websites.

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming offers aid to students participating in dual enrollment, as well as scholarship and grant aid.

The GEAR UP program is a statewide grant offering financial assistance to more than 2,000 students yearly.

The Hathaway Scholarship Program awards up to $1,680 to students based on their educational achievements.

For more information, visit the Wyoming Department of Education’s website.

Conclusion

Everyone knows that filling out the FAFSA can help you get federal student aid, but many states operate generous aid programs as well. 

If you want to get as much aid as possible, Mos is here to help. Mos provides personalized assistance with aid applications, access to hundreds of grants and scholarships, ways to earn cash in college, and more.

Check out Mos membership plans to get started.