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The Bureau of Indian Education Higher Education Grant program provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees at accredited colleges and universities. Awards help cover tuition, fees, books, and living expenses, and are distributed through BIE directly or through federally recognized tribes participating in the program. Students must reapply annually and maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain funding.

Need-based federal grant for low and moderate income undergraduate students. Does not need to be repaid. Award amount depends on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.

FSEOG provides supplemental grant funding to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, prioritizing Federal Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Expected Family Contributions. Awards range from $100 to $4,000 per year and do not require repayment. Students must be enrolled at a participating institution and complete the FAFSA.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, enabling them to earn money to help pay education expenses while enrolled at least half-time. Jobs are available on-campus and off-campus, with many off-campus positions at nonprofits, public agencies, or employers providing community services related to the student's field of study. Work-Study wages do not count against the following year's financial aid calculation, preserving aid eligibility.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange, providing grants for U.S. students, scholars, professionals, teachers, and artists to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, and for international participants to do the same in the United States. Student grants typically cover international travel, tuition, a monthly living stipend, and health insurance for one academic year. The program operates in more than 160 countries and is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) for student awards.

GAANN fellowships support doctoral students with exceptional financial need in academic areas of national need including biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, and other Secretary-designated fields. Awards are made to graduate programs at eligible institutions, which then select fellows and administer stipends and tuition assistance. Fellows are typically expected to teach or conduct research as part of their academic preparation, and priority is given to students with exceptional academic merit alongside demonstrated need.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans for borrowers who have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer — federal, state, local, or tribal government organizations or eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Borrowers must be enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan and must submit annual Employment Certification Forms to track progress toward the 120-payment threshold. After 120 qualifying payments (10 years of full-time public service), the remaining balance is forgiven tax-free.

The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program awards grants to eligible health professions schools, which then provide scholarships to full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds enrolled in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and other health professions programs. Scholarships cover tuition, reasonable educational expenses, and living costs for the period of health professions training. Recipient institutions select scholarship recipients based on financial need and disadvantaged background criteria.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students preparing to teach in high-need subject areas at low-income elementary or secondary schools. Recipients sign an Agreement to Serve committing to four years of full-time teaching within eight years of program completion. Failure to complete the service obligation converts the grant to an unsubsidized loan.

TRIO is a group of eight federally funded outreach and student services programs designed to help low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities progress from middle school through graduate education. Programs include Talent Search (middle and high school outreach), Upward Bound (college prep for high schoolers), Student Support Services (college retention and graduation support), and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (graduate school preparation). Services are provided by colleges and nonprofits that apply for and receive TRIO grants, so availability depends on which institutions in your area have programs.