• Grants and scholarships, which do not have to be repaid
• Loans, which have to be repaid
• Work-study, which provides aid in exchange for work, usually in the form of campus-based employment

Almost all aid provided by the federal government is awarded to students based on their and their families' ability to pay for college. This is not to say, however, that all aid is need-based. IU awards millions of dollars a year in scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional academic potential. There are also IU alumni clubs and many corporations, foundations, communities, labor unions, and service organizations that offer scholarships. Be sure to explore the financial aid opportunities present in your community.

Parent PLUS Loans

One important form of financial aid for parents to consider is the Federal Parent PLUS Loan. The primary benefit of the PLUS loan is that it allows you to borrow federally guaranteed low interest loans to help pay for your child's education. Parents can borrow the total cost of an undergraduate education, including tuition, room and board, supplies, lab expenses, and travel. PLUS loans are non-need based, they do not require collateral, and interest may be tax deductible. Look over our financial aid office's Parent PLUS Loan information, including the online loan application.

Find out more about the scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to your student by visiting either the freshman financial aid section or the transfer student financial aid section. For complete information on scholarships and financial aid, visit our Office of Student Financial Assistance.