Do I Have To Accept All My Financial Aid Loans?

Updated on April 12, 2023

Are you ready to discover your college program?

The federal government offers students financial aid based on the financial profile that students provide on their FAFSA. Many students wonder, “Do I have to use all my financial aid loans?”

The financial aid acceptance process allows recipients to turn down any part of their financial aid package, including federal loans. Most private lenders, such as banks and financial institutions, also permit students to cancel future loan disbursements as needed.

The following guide offers more information on loans and other financial aid. Financial aid options include grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. The options discussed below can make college education more accessible to students despite high U.S. college tuition rates.

What Are the Types of Financial Aid?

Financial aid providers usually grant financial aid on the basis of financial need and/or academic merit. Aid amounts vary by student qualifications. Read more below to learn about these common financial aid types and their criteria.

1
Need-Based Aid
The federal government and most regionally accredited colleges and universities grant need-based aid to learners who qualify. Most undergraduates qualify for some need-based aid. Aspiring students communicate their financial circumstances by filling out the FAFSA. This financial profile helps the federal government connect applicants with need-based grants, loans, and work-study options. Many private and public organizations and institutions, including schools, offer need-based scholarships and require the FAFSA.
2
Merit-Based Aid
Some schools grant financial aid based on students’ achievements. This includes areas such as academics, arts, or athletics. Significant community service or leadership records sometimes qualify applicants for merit-based aid. Schools may require applicants to fill out an extra application to qualify for merit-based aid. Aid amounts vary by school and student achievement profile.
Merit-based aid is usually renewable annually. It may require enrollees to maintain a certain enrollment status and GPA to keep their award. Many outside organizations and institutions also award merit-based scholarships. Applicants often need to show both academic merit and financial need to receive scholarships.

Guide to Financial Aid and Scholarships

How Would a Gap Year Affect Financial Aid and FAFSA?

What Can Be Included in a Financial Aid Package?

The most common financial aid types include federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. Some learners qualify for merit-based or need-based scholarships from schools. Students may seek secondary financial aid options from outside sources if necessary.

Scholarships and Grants
According to 2021-22 figures, undergraduates with financial need may qualify for grants up to $6,495 through the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Federal Pell Grant Program. Meanwhile, many schools and organizations offer need-based and merit-based grants and scholarships. These award amounts may range from a few hundred dollars to full tuition coverage. Most scholarships and grants do not require repayment.
Work Study
Work-study programs entail part-time work on campus or at school-affiliated, public-serving organizations. The federal government pays half the salary for these positions, while the school or organization pays the other half. The government awards work studies based on FAFSA eligibility. Students usually earn between $2,000-$5,000 annually in work-study programs.
Schools help recipients find work-study jobs. Undergraduate work-study students get paid hourly. Paychecks go directly to the student either monthly or bimonthly. Participants do not repay the work-study funds they receive.
Federal Loans
The ED offers a federal financial aid loan program called the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The program awards aid annually depending on grade level and dependency status. Federal loans require repayment at a 3.73% interest rate. Payments begin six months after graduation or when students drop to less than half-time enrollment.
Private Loans
Learners seeking more financial aid may need private loans. Private loans require repayment. Many lenders charge higher interest rates than federal financial aid loans do. Banks or financial institutions offer private loans to relatives, guardians, or students.
Private loan amounts vary based on the lender and a borrower’s financial status. Many lenders will loan as much as needed to qualifying applicants. Part-time or full-time learners may qualify for private loans. Borrowers undergo a single credit check and then borrow what they need for the year. Recipients may cancel future disbursements without penalty.
College-Specific Loans
Some financial aid loans come directly from schools or particular colleges within universities. Students may qualify for special loans from the college or department that houses their major. College-specific loan amounts vary by school and range widely. These loans require repayment.

Financial Aid Package Tips

The following tips highlight some important financial aid acceptance steps and practices. Read further to learn more about financial decision-making, budgeting, and financial aid management. Keep in mind that financial aid packages vary by student, school, and field.

Decide Which College You Are Attending
Some applicants choose their college based on their financial aid offers. The college application process typically includes a financial profile submission. This allows schools to calculate and make financial aid offers to prospective students.
Some schools need aspiring enrollees to fill out a separate financial aid application along with their college application and the FAFSA. Many schools make their financial aid award decisions early, so late-stage applicants may not receive as much aid. Once selecting your college, turn down offers from other schools so that they can offer those funds to other students.
Create a Budget
Budgeting helps students identify ways to save money and finance their education. Accurately estimating tuition and living expenses helps students decide how much financial aid they need. Creating a budget also helps enrollees with general financial planning and decision-making.
Successful budgeting increases financial control and awareness. Budgeters identify and reduce unnecessary spending. Creating and sticking to budgets supports peace of mind by reducing financial worry and increasing preparedness for unforeseen events and emergencies.
Understand What is Available to You
Understanding all available aid options helps students decide which funding to pursue or accept. Informed decisions can help students avoid unnecessary spending and student debt while covering educational expenses.
Most loans require repayment with interest, so borrowers should turn down any financial aid loans they do not need. Students can ask for more money from schools or lenders. Learners also should exhaust grant and scholarship options before borrowing money. Students who demonstrate academic merit and/or financial need may qualify for scholarships through their schools or other outside providers. CareerOneStop offers a searchable scholarship database that helps aspiring students find scholarships.
Know When the Money is Disbursed
Schools release grants and loans in two or more payments, called disbursements. The first financial aid disbursement usually occurs a few weeks after classes begin each term. Most schools apply the grant or loan money toward tuition and fees and then give the student any remaining funds. Students paying out-of-pocket costs should try to pay their portion before the first day of classes. Some schools place a hold on registration until the student pays.
Consider Adjusting Your Financial Aid Every Year
Students’ life circumstances may change across their college careers. New jobs or living situations can change the amount of financial aid necessary to cover expenses. By submitting an updated FAFSA each year, learners ensure that their financial aid packages match their current financial needs.
You may still wonder, “Do I have to use all my financial aid loans?” If circumstances improve during the year, you may realize that you do not need the full loan amount allotted. Loan recipients can cancel part or all of their financial aid loans within 120 days of receiving them.