• Merit-based financial assistance offered in recognition of a student’s academic, personal, extracurricular and/or athletic achievements and promise, regardless of whether a student qualifies for assistance on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Scholarships do not require repayment like a loan.

  Grants:

• Financial aid money from the Federal/state government or college in which you enroll. Grants do not require repayment like a loan.

 Loans:

• Financial assistance which must be repaid over an extended period of time, generally after a student completes an undergraduate degree, but occasionally beginning during undergraduate enrollment. (Source: Phillips Exeter Academy)

 These are some places to look for more specific information about financial aid and scholarships.

• Collegeboard tips about paying for college: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/
  4494.html
• U.S. News glossary of financial aid terms: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/stepbystep/
  glossary_brief.php#step4
• Official AVID website financial aid and scholarships info: http://www.avidonline.org/info/?ID=2147#aid_scholarships
• Scholarships and grants specific to the state of Ohio: http://www.regents.state.oh.us/sgs/
• Information on all types of financial aid and search: http://www.finaid.org
• Sallie Mae loan service: http://www.salliemae.com
  • Information on two specific grants: http://www.salliemae.com/before_college/students_plan/free_money/
    grants/grants.htm
  • General information on scholarships: http://www.salliemae.com/before_college/students_plan/
    free_money/scholarships/scholarships.htm
• Federal Student Financial Aid Information Center: (800) 433-3243
• A useful scholarship search service: http://www.fastweb.com
• U.S. News Scholarship search service: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/dollars/tools/scholarship_search.htm