# Other Financial Aid Options

**Source**: https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/
**Parent**: https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/illinois-commitment/

If you don’t meet the criteria to qualify for Illinois Commitment, there are other financial aid options available to help cover the cost of an Illinois education.

70% percent of Illinois undergraduate students receive financial aid and 51% receive gift aid funds that do not need to be repaid. By completing the FAFSA, you will be considered for various types of financial aid. Your financial aid package may include one or more of the following types of aid.

## [AIM HIGH](https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/other-aid/aim-high-program/)

The University of Illinois is currently working with the state of Illinois and plans to participate in the new AIM HIGH Grant program that will become available for the 2019-2020 award year.

## [Grants](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/grants)

[Grants](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/grants) are gift aid that don’t need to be repaid and are awarded based on demonstrated financial need from federal, state, or university funds.

## [Scholarships](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/scholarships)

[Scholarships](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/scholarships) are gift aid that don’t need to be repaid and are awarded based on a variety of factors including academic achievement, talent, athletic ability, leadership, geographical location, field of student, or financial need.

## [Loans](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/loans)

[Loans](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/loans) are borrowed funds to help pay for your educational expenses that must be repaid once a student graduates, leaves college, or falls below half-time status.

## [Student Employment](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/employment)

[Employment](https://www.osfa.illinois.edu/other-financial-aid-options/employment) allows students to earn money by working while in school.