Over the past few decades, higher education has become very expensive—it’s difficult for many families to afford all the expenses associated with going to college. In the 2024–2025 academic year, the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a private nonprofit four‑year university was $43,350, according to the College Board, while the cost for in-state tuition at a public college was around $11,610. Either way, that’s a lot of money for just one year! Although college comes with a whopping price tag, there are various options that can help you and your family afford your enrollment at your dream school. Here are all the different opportunities out there so you don’t have to worry about the huge burden of student debt.
Scholarship opportunities
There are a variety of scholarships offered to students to aid them with paying for college. There are even scholarships you can easily apply for without having to meet specific academic requirements or turning in essays. Some scholarships are merit based, awarding students for their academic achievements, and some for community service, athleticism, hobbies/extracurriculars, ethnic or racial identities, financial need, and the military. You can easily find scholarships just for you by creating an account on any of the free scholarship websites listed below (including various scholarships that are offered right here on CollegeXpress!):
Related: How to Expand Your Reach and Find Scholarships in Hidden Places
Federal grant programs
The US Department of Education offers a wide variety of federal grants to students enrolled in college. But be aware that these grants are only offered to people who need financial aid. Here are the different grants offered by the US Department of Education:
Federal Pell Grant
To get a Federal Pell Grant, you’ll have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The maximum amount offered by this grant is $7,395, but the amount you receive is based on these factors: your Student Aid Index; the cost of attendance for your school; your status as a full-time or part-time student; and your plans to attend for a full academic year or less. This grant is the best option for many students since it guarantees you an award and doesn’t require a lot, other than financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The only requirement to be eligible for the FSEOG Grant is to file the FAFSA. You can receive between $100–$4,000 per year depending on your financial need. Every participating school receives a certain amount of FSEOG funds, but unlike the Federal Pell Grant, which guarantees you an amount, this grant is not 100% guaranteed. If your school runs out of the given funds to distribute, they’ll stop granting money for that year. This grant is great to apply for, but since it’s not guaranteed, it’s best that you make this your alternate option.
Special Rule for Pell Grants
Under the federal Special Rule, students whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty—either in military service after 9/11 or as a public safety officer—automatically receive the maximum Pell Grant, regardless of their Student Aid Index.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants
Here are the requirements to be eligible for the TEACH Grant:
- Meet the standard federal student aid criteria;
- Complete the FAFSA;
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program;
- Be enrolled in a TEACH Grant–eligible program;
- Meet certain academic requirements (maintain a 3.25 GPA or score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test);
- Receive TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the service obligation (must be done each year); and
- Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.
This grant offers up to $4,000 a year to students who qualify. Though this grant has a lot of requirements to meet, it’ll all be worth it if you’re willing to put in the effort for it.
Related: What’s the Difference Between Scholarships and Grants?
Work-study
Work-study jobs are part-time roles provided by colleges and universities to help undergraduate and graduate students earn money, which they can then put toward college tuition and fees. But you don't have to use it to pay for college; students can use their work-study paycheck for personal expenses too, such as textbooks, transportation, supplies, living costs, or any other way they want. To see if you’re eligible for work-study, you have to fill out the FAFSA. The federal work-study program sometimes offers work-study jobs that are directly tied to your college major so you can also gain experience in your desired field. By accepting a work-study job at your college, you could earn money while having valuable experiences that could benefit you in the future!
Federal loans
A federal loan is money you borrow; unlike scholarships or grants, you’ll be required to pay it back later—with interest. To see if you're eligible for a federal student loan, you must fill out and submit the FAFSA. Here are the different types of federal loans you can apply and qualify for:
- Direct Subsidized Loans: Loans for eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Loans for eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students not based on financial need
- Direct PLUS Loans: Loans that graduate or professional degree students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for education expenses
- Direct Consolidation Loans: Loans that allow you to combine all your eligible federal student loans into a single loan with a single loan servicer
There’s also the option of private loans, but these should be your last resort since they have higher interest rates than federal loans and don’t offer loan forgiveness after you graduate.
Related: Types of Student Loans Explained: Federal vs. Private
Paying for college can be a struggle and even a nightmare for some, but by doing your research and applying for scholarships, grants, work-study, and even federal loans, you can create a more manageable financial plan for your education. Most of these opportunities are easy to apply for, and you never know what financial aid you may qualify for. So be sure to apply (and apply early!) to help you pay for college and have a brighter future.
Find great scholarship opportunities using our Scholarship Search tool, and learn about other ways to pay for college in our Financial Aid section.
