Frequently asked questions

A free library about the money for college that you do not pay back: grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, work-study and service awards, sorted by who gives the money. It explains how each kind works and names the office that decides.

No. It is an independent education resource, a brand of Consumer Response Media. It has no tie to the U.S. Department of Education, and it is not run by any school, lender or scholarship program.

No one but your college, your state and the organizations that run each award can decide that. The articles explain how each one is worked out and who to ask.

No. Every article and guide is open to read, and the FAFSA itself costs nothing to file at studentaid.gov. Be wary of anyone who charges a fee to find or claim aid.

Each source has its own form, its own dates and its own rules for renewal. Knowing whether a grant comes from the federal government, your state, your college or a local group tells you where to apply and who to call.

Start with the federal grants and the guide to reading an aid offer, then look at your state's grants and your college's own aid. Private scholarships and service programs can fill what is left.

Six longer reads that cut across every source: reading an aid offer, comparing two offers, a year of dates, scholarship essays, how awards stack together, and asking for more aid.

An occasional note from Student Lift Network about new articles and guides for the source you choose and dates in the aid year worth knowing. Updates arrive by email, plus texts if you tick a text box.

No more than 4 a month, and usually fewer. Reply STOP to any text and they end, with one message to confirm. Each email also has a link at the bottom to stop them.

Yes. All of the articles and guides stay open whether you sign up or not.

No. Your details stay with Student Lift Network, which never sells or rents them and never shares them with colleges, lenders or anyone else for marketing.