Many types of financial aid are available to adult students.
Grants
A grant is money given to students to help pay for their
education. Often based on a student's financial need, grants may
come from federal or state programs, or sometimes from private
charitable organizations. Grants do not have to be repaid.
Federal grants
-
Pell Grants are awarded to students on the basis of financial
need and do not have to be repaid. These grants are considered to
be the foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other
federal and non-federal sources might be added.
-
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded
to undergraduate students who demonstrate a strong financial need.
The grant doesn't need to be repaid. It can help students pay for
education expenses, including tuition, books, and room and
board.
State grants
Loans
An education loan is a form of financial aid that must be
repaid, with interest.
Federally-Sponsored Student Loans
- Direct loans are designed to help students cover the costs of
their school expenses. These loans can be subsidized or
unsubsidized and students can use them to pay for education
expenses. Students apply for these loans by filling out the
FAFSA.
Private or Alternative Student Loans
These private student loans from banks or other lending
institutions are not federally supported or guaranteed. Students
must be enrolled to apply for these loans.
Scholarships
Scholarships aren't just for students graduating from high
school - there are many available for adult learners. Check out the
scholarship
finder for more information.
Federal Work-Study
The
federal work-study program allows students to cover part of
their tuition and school expenses by working part-time on
campus.
Off-Campus Employment
Visit your institution's career services office for more
information about internships, cooperative education opportunities,
and other job postings. This office usually has a network of
employers who are willing to work around an employee's school
schedule.
Applying for Student Financial Aid
- Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) form is the first step in the financial aid process. To be
eligible to participate in federal financial aid and some state
financial aid programs, a student must complete a FAFSA. Submit
your FAFSA online at www.studentaid.gov/fafsa
.
- Complete any supplemental institutional specific applications
such as the West Virginia Higher Education Adult Part-time Student
Program Application. Talk to your RBA Coordinator or the financial
aid office at your institution for more information.
- Review your financial aid package with your RBA Coordinator or
someone in the financial aid office at your institution.
General Student Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for financial aid, a student must:
- Be pursuing a degree or certificate in an eligible program
(included on the institution's program participation
agreement);
- Make satisfactory academic progress as established by
institutional policy;
- Meet minimum enrollment requirements (i.e., half-time for
student loans); and
- Not be in default on a student loan.
Looking for more information?
Check out the
Financial Aid 101 guide or the Financial
Aid Glossary.