Institutions augment the federal contribution with a one-third match. Perkins loan forgiveness options have helped recruit thousands of law enforcement officers, teachers, and nurses. The Perkins federal capital contribution is now worth just 22 percent of its 1980 value in constant dollars. States use these funds to support increased grant aid, transition to college programs, early intervention, merit scholarships for needy students, community service, and scholarship programs in specialized academic areas. Each year, the Federal Work-Study program helps 700,000 needy students earn the money to pay for college, through jobs on campus, in the community, and in the private sector.
Institutions match federal funds by at least one-third, and often more.
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need awards funds through a competitive program to help academic departments prepare graduate students for teaching and research. The Javits Fellowship is the only federal program that gives portable financial aid to graduate students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.