College prices keep climbing, but that doesn’t mean higher education must be unaffordable. There are several avenues to cover school costs through grants and scholarships if you can’t foot the bill yourself. In some cases, based on your household situation and finances, you might even receive money to attend college.
Below we’ll examine how a mix of federal grants, state assistance and scholarships can help you earn your degree and even put cash back into your account.
File the FAFSA to Access Federal Grants
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently introduced a revamped FAFSA process, which led to some delays. Schools won’t begin processing 2024–25 FAFSA submissions until mid-March, leaving students and institutions waiting. Congressional decisions in the coming months could also alter Pell Grant award levels, which support low-income students.
Putting those complications aside for now: the FAFSA is open, and the maximum Pell Grant for the 2024–25 academic year is $7,395. Qualifying for the full Pell amount is more attainable than many expect — particularly for nontraditional students. Income thresholds can reach six figures depending on family size. If your income is lower, you may also be eligible for a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) in addition to Pell, which historically adds up to about $4,000 more to a student’s federal aid package.
Check Community College Costs
In much of the U.S., community college tuition is less than the full Pell award. If your federal grant exceeds tuition, the college will return the remaining funds to you via a refund check. You can use that refund to cover textbooks, housing, groceries and other living expenses while you study. In effect, you’re being paid to attend college.
If that sounds unbelievable, it’s real. Here are several examples from institutions around the nation, assuming you’re paying in-state tuition.
If you also qualify for an FSEOG, your refund could be even larger.
Getting Paid to Go to College Examples
| School | Community College of Philadelphia | Oklahoma City Community College | San Diego Community College System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate tuition and fees for one year of study | $5,368 | $3,517.54 | $1,242 |
| Max Pell grant | $7,395 | $7,395 | $7,395 |
| Difference refunded to student | $2,027 | $3,877.46 | $6,153 |
How Scholarships Affect Refunds
If you plan to rely on this approach, be careful which scholarships you pursue. Some scholarships are restricted to covering only tuition, reducing charges to $0, so they won’t help when your goal is to receive a refund check.
Other scholarships are compatible with this refundable setup, meaning the extra funds they provide could increase the net amount returned to you each term. Always read the terms carefully before assuming a particular scholarship will harmonize with your federal aid.
Can This Work for a Four-Year Degree?
This strategy isn’t limited to two-year programs; depending on your state, you may be able to apply it toward a bachelor’s degree.
For instance, Florida State University lists off-campus, in-state tuition and fees at $5,666. If you received a full Pell award, that would leave $1,729 refunded over the academic year. Additional FSEOG awards or refundable scholarships would improve that outcome.
If you don’t reside in a state with low public university tuition, the Pell grant can still make school more affordable. Oregon State University, for example, charges $13,791 for in-state tuition and fees.
A maximum Pell award would still leave $6,396 to cover. When completing the FAFSA, you’ll usually be prompted to apply for state grants as well. Oregon administers several state grants, notably the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
This need-based award has in prior years gone to residents with an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $8,000 or less on the FAFSA — a higher cutoff than Pell’s historically allowed. Thus, Pell recipients often also qualify for the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
The grant’s payout ranges roughly from $3,000 to $7,524, and Pell recipients tend to be toward the upper range. That could make it feasible for the state grant to cover the remaining $6,396 balance.
Use Grants and Scholarships to Shrink Loan Burden
Don’t leave federal or state aid unclaimed. With careful planning, you can use these resources to attend school at minimal cost — or potentially receive funds while you learn.
FAFSA aid is typically easier to secure if you qualify as an independent student, and the examples above don’t factor in room and board. They assume off-campus living and likely working at least part time to cover leftover living costs.
Sometimes relying solely on grants and scholarships isn’t practical, and loans will be necessary to meet tuition and other needs. There’s no stigma in borrowing, but make sure you’ve reduced that potential debt as much as possible by submitting the FAFSA, applying for state grants and pursuing every scholarship you can find.
Free money is available, and with forethought you could end up getting paid to attend college.
Pittsburgh-based writer Jenna Morris is the founder of the Femme Frugality blog and author of “The Feminist Financial Handbook.” She contributes regularly to Savinly.
