Many will tell you that the cost of college—whether online or on campus—has risen steadily over the past 20 years. But more important is the fact that there are billions of dollars in financial aid available to every student who wants to earn a degree.

The U.S. Department of Education alone will provide more than $80 billion in student aid this year, and scholarships are available from a number of organizations and are estimated to total in the millions.

Federal Aid: One Application Does It All
Federal aid comes in various forms, including grants, student loans, and work-study, and students can apply for all three by filling out one FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid form.

• Grants are awarded to students based on financial need. They do not need to be paid back.

• Loans must be paid back, but the government regulates interest rates to keep them as low as possible, and students usually don’t make payments until after graduation.

• Work-study allows students to earn tuition while working at part-time jobs on campus or with approved organizations.

Scholarships: Money for Everyone
Scholarships can come from schools themselves or from outside organizations. You just have to do your homework. There are thousands of scholarship searches available online, and they include scholarships for everyone from people who write with their left hands to women who are interested in being business leaders. There is money available for everyone; the more you apply for, the better your chances of getting rewarded.

Employer Assistance: What Benefits Do You Get?
Companies know that educated employees mean greater productivity. Employer assistance is when businesses pay for their employees’ educations either by prepaying their tuition or paying them back when they finish the semester. Employer assistance is considered a job benefit, and many employees are not aware of the programs their companies offer. Make sure to check with your human resources or benefits director to find out.