Loans and Work Study
“Self-help” aid is any money that will need to be repaid or money that is earned through work. Loans and work-study are the two main types of self-help aid.
Federal Loans
Federal Direct Student Loans
The Federal Direct Student Loan Program provides low-interest, long-term loans to students who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree program.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Program is available to the parents of an undergraduate dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time in a degree program.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program provides low-interest long-term loans to matriculated students enrolled at least half-time for education expenses. The lender of these loans is the federal government and repayment is to the U.S. Department of Education.
Please Note: Federal Graduate PLUS Loan funds are not available to new borrowers after July 1, 2026 due to congressional action.
Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) loan awarded to full-time undergraduate students demonstrating financial need. The Perkins Loan is interest free while attending school.
Please Note: Federal Perkins Loan funds are not available after September 30, 2017 due to congressional action.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study provides employment opportunities in various campus offices. Work-Study awards are offered to students with financial need. Students are paid at an hourly rate and receive paychecks every two weeks for the hours worked.
Work-Study will not be credited to the student's account. Students are responsible for finding employment on campus. The jobs are posted on Fisher’s Handshake website.