You may know the difference between the words "federal" and "state," but that alone doesn't tell you what the specific differences between federal and state financial aid might be. It sounds simple enough:

Financial aid is financial aid, right? Does it really matter if it's coming from the federal government or from a state government? As it turns out, there can be many differences, including the way you apply for the financial aid, the amount you can receive and where you should be looking for it.

What Are the Different Types of Financial Aid?

There are four main sources of financial aid:

All four can offer a helping hand when it comes to paying for college. However, the federal government and individual states are usually the most robust financial aid resources. This can be especially true for students attending public colleges, which do not always have huge endowments to help subsidize tuition and housing expenses.

For students, the major difference between federal and state financial aid is that the federal government offers a standardized set of awards and has an equally standardized application procedure for getting them. Meanwhile, state financial aid can dramatically vary in terms of what kinds of awards are offered, the eligibility requirements, the application procedures and potential deadlines.

Federal Financial Aid

In order to find federal grants, loans and work-study programs, a student first needs to complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. This application helps the U.S. government determine how much financial aid they can award each student, based on financial need.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, a student must:

Do you need help filling out the FAFSA? Check out our Ultimate Guide to the FAFSA for tips, advice and frequently asked questions about the FAFSA application process.

State Financial Aid

According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, nearly every state offers at least one grant or scholarship program to residents. Some even extend the offer to students who are simply attending school in that state.

In addition to grants, states may offer fellowships, specialized loan programs, state tax incentives, tuition exchange programs or tuition reduction benefits, some of which are more generous than federal aid awards. For example:

Unlike federal programs, which allow students to submit one application for most aid awards, state initiatives may each require a separate application. They may also require students to file for federal financial aid before applying for state aid.

Where to Look for State Financial Aid

A great place to start looking for state financial aid is your state's board of higher education. Your state's higher education board should have information on what awards are available in your area and the application procedures to earn them. You can also check out what's available in your state on the NASFAA website.

Looking for more information on state financial aid? Search your state in our "Financial Aid Details by State" section below for information on state-specific financial aid, costs for out-of-state students and more.

Other Potential State-Related Financial Benefits

Also check out tuition exchange and reciprocation agreements. Many states maintain agreements with nearby states that allow students to attend school across the border without incurring full out-of-state costs. There are four main statewide reciprocity programs:

Several states, however, also maintain independent contracts with border states.

Financial Aid Details by State

Frequently Asked Questions about Federal vs. State Financial Aid

Yes. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators notes that eligible students can receive many different types of state-based scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid. For instance, Nevada offers its Millennium Scholarship for students who graduate from high school in the state, while Texas offers many different grant programs. As always, filling out a FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process.
Yes - although many state institutions do not provide enough financial aid to cover the higher out-of-state tuition costs. However, students with exemplary grades and accomplishments often receive merit-based scholarships or tuition waivers at colleges when they don't satisfy residency requirements. For instance, The University of Kansas offers the KU Excellence Scholarship (up to $67,472) for out-of-state students who score 1360 or higher on the SAT and maintain at least a 3.75 grade point average.
Yes. As with federal financial aid, students typically must meet the following criteria:
  • Financial need
  • Be a U.S. citizen (or eligible noncitizen)
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Be registered with Selective Service (for males ages 18-25)
  • Be enrolled in a eligible degree, certificate or diploma program
  • Students also must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for state-based financial aid.
Federal Pell Grants are only available to undergraduate students, so they can be in play for eligible degree completers or career changes. Students with bachelor's degrees who wish to pursue a master's or doctoral degrees still can apply for federal student loans, as well as grants, scholarships state and institutional-based aid.
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