Gift aid, as the name implies, does not have to be repaid and does not require a service commitment on the part of the recipient. It consists of grants and scholarships from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and other federal, state, institutional, and private scholarship and grant programs fall into this category.

Self-help aid, on the other hand, does require either repayment or a service commitment on the part of the recipient. Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal PLUS (Parent) Loans, Direct Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans, as well as state, institutional and private loan sources are examples of self-help aid. Money earned through the Federal Work-Study Program, state work-study programs, and institutional employment based on need are also categorized as self-help assistance.