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Many options are available for students to fund their college education, from UAB scholarships and external scholarships to Federal loans and grants and even work-study. Read on for a list of funding possibilities to help you better understand your award package.

UAB Scholarships

UAB scholarships are offered by the university and are based on a student’s academic success or individual talents. UAB scholarship recipients are notified of their scholarship via U.S. mail. At this time most awards have been offered. Learn more about UAB scholarships at uab.edu/scholarships.

External Scholarships

External scholarships are awarded by private donors, foundations, businesses, and many other sources outside UAB.

Web sites such as Fastweb, College Board, and others can help match you with scholarship opportunities based on your personal profile and qualifications.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is an award that doesn’t have to be repaid. It’s awarded based on financial need, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and whether you’ll be attending for one or two semesters that year. The size of the grant can change yearly.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The SEOG is an award that doesn’t have to be repaid. It’s awarded based on financial need. When awarding SEOGs, institutions must give priority to students who have exceptional need and students who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients.

Work-Study Jobs

Work-study jobs enable students to earn money to help pay for education-related expenses. The program encourages community service work and often provides opportunities that are related to the student’s course of study. A work-study job is funded by both federal government sources (75 percent) and university resources (25 percent). Unlike other types of financial aid, these funds aren’t disbursed on the first day of class—the student earns the money through work, just like a regular job.

Federal Perkins Loan

The Federal Perkins Loan is reserved for students with exceptional financial need and must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. Repayment and interest charges can be deferred until nine months after the student graduates or drops below half-time (less than six credit hours per semester).

Direct Subsidized Loans

Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need and must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. With a subsidized loan, the Department of Education pays the interest while the student is in school at least half-time (enrolled in at least six credit hours of coursework) and for the first six months after graduation, whichever comes first.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students regardless of financial need and must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. With an unsubsidized loan, the student is responsible for paying the interest starting as soon as the loan is disbursed. The student can choose not to pay the interest while in school at least half-time(enrolled in at least six credit hours of coursework) and for the first six months after graduation, but interest will accrue and be capitalized—that is, interest will accumulate and continue to be added to the principal amount of the loan.

Learn more about different financial aid options at www.uab.edu/financialaid and studentaid.gov