Austin Community College offers grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study to help you pay for college. Some forms of financial aid are limited, so apply early.
Types of financial aid
Financial aid includes a variety of sources. Below is a summary of the different types of financial aid. For more details, click the link in the “Aid Type” column.
| Aid Type | Description | Repayment Required? | Criteria | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants | State or federal money that is considered gift aid. | No, unless you fail to complete attempted classes. | Varies; must show financial need on the FAFSA or TASFA. | Complete the FAFSA or TASFA |
| Scholarships | Gift aid awarded to students by the ACC Foundation or outside groups. | No, unless you fail to complete attempted classes. | May consider grade point average (GPA), financial need, college major, or other factors. | Yes, a scholarship application |
| Work-Study | Part-time work at competitive wages. | No. | Must show financial need on the FAFSA or TASFA. | Complete the FAFSA or TASFA, & employer application. |
| Federal Student Loans | Money borrowed through the U.S. Department of Education’s federal student loan program | Yes, plus interest. | Must be within loan debt limits and must complete the FAFSA | Complete the FAFSA or TASFA & loan student request. |
| Private Student Loans | Typically issued by a financial institution, (as opposed to federal student loans, which are offered by the government). | Yes, plus interest. | Varies, most require a credit-check. | Yes, check with the financial institution. |