Complete an application for a Stafford Loan. You can apply online through the Stafford Loans webpage or through the admissions office in your college. Stafford Loans provide subsidized and unsubsidized loans to individuals based on financial need, not credit. These loans are federally funded student loans that students can apply for throughout the duration of their schooling. Subsidized loans are a fixed-rate loan with no payments or interest while the person is in school or during periods of deferment. Unsubsidized loans have a borrowing limit depending on degree status and the number of years in school, have a fixed interest rate and do not require payment while enrolled in school.
Visit the admissions office at your school to apply for a federal grant. Federal grants are funds for school provided by the government that do not have to be repaid. Some federal grants have special requirements that must be met in order to qualify and may have to be repaid if these requirements are not met. The method for applying for federal grants varies depending on the type of grant. Most federally funded grants require that you either apply through your school or by using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA.
Search for scholarships that fit your qualifications. These qualifications include age, race, sex, GPA and degree field, for example. Scholarships do not require that you have good credit in order to apply. The requirements for scholarships will vary as will the funds distributed. Your academic adviser can assist you in finding scholarships available at your school or you can search the Federal Student Aid page to find scholarships for which you may qualify. Scholarships do not require that the funds be repaid to the organization. The scholarships may be limited in the number of times that you are able to apply for them.
Speak with an admissions specialist at your school about campus-based aid. Campus-based aid includes the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study Program and Federal Perkins Loans. These are distributed by the office of admissions at participating schools. The amount of funds received through these programs varies depending on the funds received through other programs, financial need and the availability of funds at your school. These funds do not need to be repaid, but the funds may not be available to all who qualify due to the amount limits.