Financial Aid vs. Scholarships

When talking about paying for college, terms like scholarships and financial aid are oftentimes used interchangeably. They are both methods used to pay for school; however, they are very different. 

💡Financial aid- some of the money may be free (grants, merit aid, etc.), while student loans must be paid back after graduation. 

💡 Scholarships- distributed to or won by students; never has to be paid back. 

**Make sure you pay close attention to financial aid deadlines when filling out your college applications. There may be separate financial aid deadlines in order to qualify for their scholarships.