Answer:?When it comes to graduate school and financial aid, there are a few differences compared to undergraduate college and financial aid. Though most of the established financial aid programs are available to all students, a select few are not available to graduate students. ?Financial aid? refers to loans, grants, scholarships and work-study.
Loans
More than 50 percent of all graduate students borrow money to attend school. Remember, to be eligible for federal student loans, you must be enrolled in graduate school on at least a half-time basis.
Currently, all of the federal student loan programs that are available to undergraduates are also available to graduate students. The terms of the loans are identical for each group, except that the borrowing limits for graduate students are generally higher. Also, graduate students are eligible for PLUS Loans, which were previously reserved for parents of dependent undergraduate students. Under the GradPLUS program, creditworthy graduate students can borrow up to the full cost of their graduate education, minus any aid received.
Regarding private student loans, only a few are restricted to undergraduates. In fact, most private student loans are specifically targeted to graduate students, such as MBA students, law students or medical students.
Colleges vary in the graduate loan programs they offer. Consequently, the type and amount of graduate aid that colleges offer can differ substantially. Contact the financial aid office of the graduate schools you are considering to learn more about any potential loan programs.
States, like colleges, also vary in the scope of their loan programs. While most states have a student loan program available for undergraduates, they may restrict the availability of funds for graduate students. Contact your state?s higher education agency and inquire about any special loan programs for graduate students.
Grants
Perhaps the biggest difference between graduate school and undergraduate education is the availability of grants. The two biggest federal grant programs?the Pell Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)?are not available to graduate students. Similarly, most state grants are available only to undergraduate students. To find out if your state offers any grants specifically for graduate students, contact the appropriate state agency.
As for other grant sources, there are virtually thousands of foundations, associations, and corporations that offer grants. These are the places where hopeful graduate students will likely have the most success. Ask your local reference librarian or the financial aid administrator at your college for help in getting started on a search.
Scholarships
Like grants, scholarships are offered by a wide range of institutions. The Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program(a federal scholarship) is limited to undergraduate students only. However, the AmeriCorps Program is available to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Start your scholarship search with the graduate schools you are interested in to learn about any scholarships they offer. Then check your local library or college career placement office for a broader listing of possible scholarship sources from professional organizations, unions, clubs, foundations, etc. You can also use the Internet to research possible scholarship sources. In addition, your state?s higher education agency may offer scholarships for particular graduate fields of study.
Work-study
The federal work-study program is available to graduate students, as well as undergraduates. This means that graduate students can work in a federally subsidized job while they attend school to earn money for tuition or related expenses. States may also offer special work-study programs for graduate students.
Read more about federal, state and college aid.?
Our financial expert will cover more on graduate school loan options?next month on The Explorer Blog.?
Have a question for the financial expert? Email?The Explorer.?
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