About Student Aid Alliance
We are a coalition of 85 higher education organizations united in our support for federal student aid. The Student Aid Alliance is thrilled to bring you the Save Student Aid campaign to raise awareness about the importance of federal student aid for America’s future.
What We Support
Federal Pell Grant Program
Pell Grants are the largest student aid program and the foundation of federal student aid. Unlike student loans, they do not have to be repaid. They are awarded from the federal government to low-income students for undergraduate study at all colleges and universities.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
SEOG grants, unlike student loans, do not have to be repaid. They are awarded to the neediest Pell Grant recipients at participating institutions. Colleges match federal funding to help low-income students borrow less and persist to completion.
Federal Work Study Program
FWS provides part-time jobs to help students work their way through college while building professional skills. Colleges and other employers match federal funding for jobs at participating institutions, local businesses, or in community service. Work study recipients are connected to the campus community, which helps them complete college on time.
TRIO Programs
TRIO programs help low-income, first-generation to college Americans enter college, graduate, and launch a career. The programs provide a pipeline of educational outreach and student support services from middle school through postgraduate study. The institution-based programs provide tutoring; personal, financial and career counseling; and special instruction in reading, writing, mathematics and study skills.
GEAR UP
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) targets at-risk 7th grade cohorts and works with them through high school to prepare and apply for college. States and local partnerships receive federal funds to create programs.
Graduate Programs
The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program supports increasing the quality of students who prepare for research and teaching. GAANN targets high-performing and high-need graduate students in areas of national competitiveness.
Student Loans
The William D. Ford Direct Loan Program (DL) uses Treasury funds to make loans to students to pay for college. Student borrowers must repay the federal government for their loans.
There are 3 types of loans under the Direct Loan program: Stafford loans, PLUS loans, and Consolidation loans.
Stafford loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized.
- “Subsidized” means the federal government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school. Subsidized loans are only available to low-income students.
- “Unsubsidized” means interest accrues on the loan while the student is in school. Unsubsidized loans are not based on need.
PLUS loans are unsubsidized and may be made up to the cost of education not covered by other aid to graduate/professional students and to the parents of dependent undergraduate students.
Consolidation loans are made to former students for the purpose of combining educational loans from various federal programs into a single loan.
Who We Are
Student Aid Alliance Members
AACRAO: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
American Association of Community Colleges
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Association of University Professors
American College Personnel Association
American Dental Education Association
American Federation of Teachers
American Indian Higher Education Consortium
American Psychological Association
American Society for Engineering Education
American Student Association of Community Colleges
Association of American Law Schools
Association of American Medical Colleges
Association of American Universities
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
Association of Community College Trustees
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
Association of Research Libraries
Association of Schools of Allied Health Professionals
Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organization
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Opportunity in Education
Council of Independent Colleges
Council on Social Work Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
National Association for College Admission Counseling
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
National Association of College and University Business Officers
National Association of College Stores
National Association of Graduate and Professional Students
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
National College Access Network
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships
National Council of University Research Administrators
National Education Association
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
The California State University
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
The National Collegiate Athletic Association
United States Student Association
University Continuing Education Association
University of Southern California