One of the best ways to learn about all the available federal loans, grants and work-study opportunities is to consult the Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid.

Scholarships: Earn to Learn

Scholarships are gifts. They don't need to be repaid. Essex County College offers scholarships but there are also scholarships offered by employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.

Some scholarships are merit based. You earn them by meeting or exceeding certain standards set by the scholarship-giver. They might be awarded based on academic achievement, or a combination of academics and a special talent, trait or interest. Other scholarships are based on financial need. Here are some tools to help find yours:

• Federal Student Aid Scholarship Search
• NJ STARS Program
• State Higher Education Agency Listings

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