Generally, students from large families with low incomes qualify for a Pell Grant. Pell Grants must be re-applied for each year. The federal government funds these grants, but they are administered by the college financial aid office. They are based on need and the availability of SEOG funds at that school. Often, state grants are not based primarily on need.
Many states give grants based on academic merit or field of study.
Higher income families stand a better chance of receiving state aid than federal aid. Scholarships are available from a variety of sources. Employers, major corporations, the military, colleges and universities, and religious, ethnic, and club affiliations are among sources to check for possible scholarship opportunities. College Work Study Programs Work study programs usually pay a student at the federal minimum wage rate. The financial aid administrator is usually in charge of this program.