Types of Aid

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Paying for college is easier with financial aid. Arkansas State University offers different ways to help cover your costs. We'll help you understand your options and how they work, so you can choose what’s right for you.

Financial aid comes in several forms—some you earn, some you borrow, and some you don’t have to pay back. You can access all of these financial aid options as an undergraduate or graduate student.

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Loans

Loans are borrowed money that you repay after college. You can get federal loans, usually with lower interest rates and flexible repayment plans, or private loans from a bank or lender.

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Grants

Grants are financial aid you don’t have to repay. They’re usually based on financial need. Both federal and private grants are available to help cover your college costs.

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Scholarships

Scholarships are funds you don’t have to pay back. They’re often awarded based on academic achievement, talents, or other criteria. You can get scholarships from A-State, private groups, or federal programs.

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Work Study

Work-study lets you earn money through a part-time campus job while attending school. This is a federal program, and the money you earn helps pay for your education. You don’t have to repay work-study earnings.

Graduate students have access to additional funding options that can help reduce costs, like graduate assistantships. These programs can help supplement your financial aid and support your academic journey.

Explore Graduate Financial Aid

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The Key to Your Funding

No matter how you plan to pay for grad school, it all starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs require it. Many A-State funding opportunities also depend on having a completed FAFSA on file, so don’t skip this important step.

Check out our FAFSA application guide.

FAFSA step-by-step guide.

Have Questions?