What is gift aid — and why is it the only thing that lowers your price?
Do you repay it? No
No. Gift aid is grants and scholarships — money you never pay back.
Gift aid means grants and scholarships: free money toward your education. It is the only part of an award letter that actually lowers what you pay. Loans and work-study are not gift aid, even when a letter lists them in the same total.
Per year vs. per semester: Gift aid is usually shown per year. Confirm whether a scholarship renews every year and what GPA it requires.
What it looks like on your letter
GrantScholarshipPell GrantInstitutional GrantAwardNot sure how this affects your price?
Decode your award letter and we'll separate real aid from loans automatically.
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