What types of financial aid can I apply for that include scholarships?

I'm a bit overwhelmed by the different financial aid options available for college. Does anyone know what types of financial aid generally include scholarships? I'm trying to understand all my options.

Financial aid for college technically includes four types: grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

Scholarships are a type of financial aid that you don't have to repay, making them quite popular among students. They can be awarded on a variety of criteria, not just academic achievement. Some scholarships are based on financial need, some on community service, and others on other talents or personal attributes.

There are a variety of scholarships available and they can come from different sources:

1. Merit-based scholarships: These are typically offered by colleges themselves and don't require a separate application. They're based on your high school GPA, standardized test scores, and possibly your extracurriculars.

2. Institutional scholarships: These are specific to the institution you're attending. They might be funded by the school's endowment or donations from alumni or other benefactors.

3. Private scholarships: These are provided by private organizations, companies, nonprofits, and individuals. They often require separate applications and usually have specific eligibility criteria.

4. Departmental scholarships: These are offered by specific departments at universities to students pursuing degrees in those departments.

5. State and federal scholarships: The government also offers scholarships, at both the state and federal level, generally based on need. Such scholarships include the Federal Pell Grant.

Remember to take advantage of scholarship search platforms like Fastweb, Scholarship.com, and Appily. These tools can help you find scholarships that match your profile. Also, check with your high school counselor for local and regional scholarships.

To ensure you're exploring all your options, don't forget to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as this opens the door to federal, state, and institutional aid, including grants, work-study, and loans. And to reiterate, unlike loans, scholarships and grants don't need to be paid back, making them optimal sources of funding.