Types of Financial Aid

DigiPen offers financial assistance to eligible students in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and veterans benefits. Some financial aid — including loans — must be paid back with interest, while other types of financial aid — including grants and scholarships — do not need to be repaid. Savings and investments are not financial aid. The different types of financial aid are outlined below.

• Grants

  Grants are a form of gift aid with funding from state or federal sources. Undergraduate students can be considered for grants by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants do not need to be repaid.

• DigiPen Scholarships

  All students are eligible to consider or apply for DigiPen Scholarships. DigiPen offers scholarships based on merit, financial need, and academic success. Both undergraduate students and graduate students may be eligible for scholarships.

• Outside Scholarships

  Outside scholarships are forms of gift aid awarded to students by private organizations or donors to help pay for their education. Usually, students must meet a set of criteria in order to be eligible for these scholarships.

• Loans

  Loans can be provided by either federal or private sources. Federal loans come from the Direct Loan Program, available to undergraduate students, graduate students, and parents of dependent students. Private loans are offered by private lenders and should be considered only after exhausting all other sources of funding, including federal loans and grants.

• Veterans Benefits

  Veterans Benefits are also available for eligible students who have served in the U.S. military or who are a dependent of a service member.

• Federal Work-Study

  Federal Work-Study is available for eligible students who file a FAFSA and indicate work-study interest on their FAFSA.

Still have questions about the types of financial aid available to you? Contact the DigiPen Office of Financial Aid.