College is a big investment, yet it is one of the best investments a young woman can make. Investing in yourself opens doors to worlds and opportunities you never dreamed possible. To help cover and defer the cost of college, several financial aid options are available.

Scholarships Scholarships are available from many sources. A scholarship is money given to you based on merit, need, area of study, or some defining characteristic which sets you apart from others. Scholarship Tips Financial Aid Steps At the UW Scholarship List

Financial Aid Grants Money you do not have to pay back which is usually given to complete a specified proposal. Typically, grants are awarded to experienced students for research, or to organizations. Workstudy Money earned from work used to help pay for school. The job is often times set up for you through the school, usually on camp Loans Money borrowed from a bank, the government, or an institution which must be repaid with interest. There are student loans designed to help pay for an education. These have special benefits to the borrower (you), such as lower than usual interest rates and long pay back periods. Loans are a smart way to cover costs after scholarship and grant money has been considered.