Do you have to pay back financial aid?

The type of aid you receive after filling out the FAFSA determines if you need to pay it back. Grants, scholarships, and work-study money don't need to be repaid but have finite funding limits. You will need to repay subsidized, unsubsidized, and Direct Plus Loans.

Is FAFSA free money or a loan?

However, the FAFSA enables the student to qualify for many types of financial aid from several sources. Some of this money is free money, some must be earned through work, and some must be repaid.

What type of financial aid must not be paid back?

While grants often depend on a student's financial need, scholarships are often merit-based. This means you can earn them based on your achievements in academics, athletics, arts, or any other area. Grants and scholarships are a form of gift aid, which means that, in general, you don't have to pay them back.

Do you have to pay back financial aid if you don't finish college?

Whatever the case, dropping out of college is not simple – and it's not cheap. Why? Because students that drop out of college are required to pay back any financial aid they have used to pay for their college education. So before dropping out, think twice about how much it will cost.

Do you pay back financial aid refunds?

It's important to know that refund checks are not “free” money. Any amount that students choose to spend will have to be repaid with interest. Below are some tips to be sure you use your refund in the best way!

Do You Have to Pay Back Financial Aid? | Student Loan Planner

Is it OK to spend your financial aid refund?

Your Financial Aid refund can be used towards any education-related item listed in the cost of attendance such as such as books, transportation, housing, food, and miscellaneous expenses. This also means you are solely responsible for budgeting this refund throughout the semester.

What happens if you don't use financial aid?

What happens to the leftover financial aid money? Well, that depends on you and how you want to handle it. In general, you'll receive a refund. You can then decide whether to send the money back or keep it and use it for future educational expenses.

What happens if you never pay a college back?

Not paying student loans could lead to late fees, a damaged credit score and wage garnishment. You may qualify for a repayment or forgiveness plan to help bring your loans current and get rid of the debt sooner. Student loan debt is only dischargeable in bankruptcy if you can prove it is causing an undue hardship.

Who pays back financial aid?

Students have to pay back financial aid if it is in the form of a loan, but they do not have to pay back grants, scholarships or money awarded through a work-study program. Students eligible for grants or scholarships should exhaust those options before taking out any loans, experts say.

Which financial aid must be repaid?

Grants: Financial aid that generally doesn't have to be repaid. Loans: Borrowed money for college or career school; your loans must be repaid with interest.

Should I use my financial aid to buy a car?

A better question is, “Should you use student loans to buy a car?” The answer: “No!” It might seem like a good idea at the time, but there are three reasons why buying a car with student loans will cost you more money than you bargained for.

How do I know if I owe FAFSA money?

StudentAid.gov is the U.S. Department of Education's comprehensive database for all federal student aid information. This is one-stop-shopping for all of your federal student loan information. At StudentAid.gov, you can find: Your student loan amounts and balances.

How many years does FAFSA cover?

You'll also need to complete the FAFSA form every year you want to receive aid. Once you've earned your bachelor's degree, or you have used up the 12 semesters (about six years) of eligibility, you will not be able to receive a Federal Pell Grant.

Can you use FAFSA money for anything?

The Office of Federal Student Aid and most private student lenders state that all student loan funds must be used for one or more of the following education expenses: Tuition and fees. Room and board. Groceries.

How does paying back financial aid work?

Financial aid in the form of a loan is to be paid back. If it is a federal loan, repayment begins after a student has graduated, with a grace period of six months after finishing school. On the other hand, privately-issued loans may require repayment during the school year.

How does financial aid repayment work?

If you don't pick a repayment plan, your loan servicer will place you on the Standard Repayment Plan. On the Standard Plan, you repay your loan(s) over 10 years. Your monthly payments on this plan are based on a 10-year schedule and not based on your income or your ability to pay.

How long can you owe a college money?

There is no statute of limitations on how long a lender can haunt you for payment on your student loans. You owe the money. And the amount you owe accumulates interest and penalties when it's not being paid. The consequences of unpaid student loans can be harsh -- scary, even.

Do you have to payback financial aid for college?

The type of aid you receive after filling out the FAFSA determines if you need to pay it back. Grants, scholarships, and work-study money don't need to be repaid but have finite funding limits. You will need to repay subsidized, unsubsidized, and Direct Plus Loans.

What happens if my financial aid is more than tuition?

After cobbling together FAFSA federal aid, scholarships, grants, and other sources, you might find yourself with more aid than your tuition and fees cost. That money doesn't just vanish. The school pays it back to you in the form of a financial aid refund.

What happens if you use financial aid money for something else?

If your school's financial aid office discovers that you're misusing federal student loan funds, it could report you to the Department of Education and demand repayment of your loan funds. If you have private student loans and your lender discovers you've misused funds, your loan could go into immediate default.

What happens if you get too much financial aid?

If you received more assistance than you earned, the excess funds must be returned by the school and/or you. The amount of assistance that you have earned is determined on a pro rata basis. For example, if you completed 30% of your payment period, you earn 30% of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive.

Does financial aid send you a check?

Financial aid funds in excess of your tuition fee or other university charges will be mailed to you in the form of a check unless you enroll in Eagle Express Direct Deposit. The Direct Deposit process will allow funds to be directly deposited to your bank or credit union account.

Do you have to pay back Pell Grants?

The Pell Grant is funded by the United States Department of Education. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back after graduation.