The Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 created grants for students from low-income families. During the 1970s, these grants were expanded to offer tuition finicial aid to middle- and higher-income families. In 1992, legislation expanded the availability of federal loans, which encouraged college attendance for underprivileged students.
Different colleges offer private scholarships to disadvantaged students. Several government programs extend aid and scholarships to students from low-income families. For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers scholarships to disadvantaged students who attend schools accredited in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary and nursing.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) online can be filled out by students (or parents) as an application for government finical aid and scholarships. The government usually requires students to start repaying federal student aid loans shortly after they complete their degree.