Aid Programs

TU students can apply for a wide variety of aid programs from several different sources.  These web pages explain the different aid programs. To skip directly to the application steps for all of these aid programs, please go to Apply for Aid.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligibility and selection criteria vary widely between each different aid program.  Programs may be merit-based, need-based, or some combination of both. 
  • To apply for all federal loans and many need-based grants, applicants must also meet all the Eligibility Requirements for federal aid including the Citizenship Requirements. Maryland's state aid programs also include many of these federal requirements.
  • Most need-based programs rely on a standard financial need formula.

Available Aid Programs

Sources of Aid

  • Federal aid — The U.S. Department of Education is one of the largest sources of financial aid. They provide a variety of loans, grants, and work programs, which are all explained in the links above.  
  • State aid — Maryland residents can apply for grants and scholarships from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).
  • Institutional aid — TU provides a variety of need-based grants and merit-based scholarships.  Because funding is limited, selection is competitive based on either academic merit or financial need.
  • Private aid — Includes many scholarships, private student loans, and employer education benefits.

Eligibility Categories

  • Need-based aid — These programs require applicants to demonstrate financial need usually based on their Cost of Attendance (COA) and their

    Student Aid Index (SAI) value from the FAFSA.  For more information, see how need is determined.

  • Non-need-based aid — Eligibility for these programs is not based on financial need or the SAI. 
  • Merit-based aid — These programs are based on talent, or academic achievements, and they usually do not require or consider financial need.

Types of Aid

Gift aid programs do not have to be repaid.

  • Grants are usually need-based.
  • Scholarships are usually merit-based

Self-Help Programs

Loan programs must be repaid with interest. Students with and without need can borrow loans, but some lower interest loan programs require financial need.

Student employment — Many students get part-time jobs to assist with their education and living expenses.