Online Human Services Degrees with Financial Aid: Comparing Programs

Inside Look: Human Services Programs with Financial Aid

If affordability is a top concern, choosing a human services program with strong financial aid options is essential. Below, we highlight three quality programs (at both the associate and bachelor’s levels) that offer financial support to help students launch a career in human services.

As you compare programs, keep these financial considerations in mind:

1. Availability of financial aid. Programs that accept financial aid are typically eligible for federal and private loans, grants, and scholarships.
2. Institutional support. Colleges and universities often review your financial situation and help identify funding options that make enrollment possible.
3. Total cost of attendance. Tuition is only part of the expense—be sure to factor in housing, transportation, food, and other living costs.
4. Gap coverage options. Look for scholarships, grants, or payment plans that can help bridge the difference between available aid and total expenses.
5. Degree-level flexibility. Financial aid is often available for both associate and bachelor’s degree programs, giving you multiple entry points into the field.

Carefully evaluating both program costs and available financial aid will help you choose an option that fits your budget and supports your long-term career goals.

Financial Aid Eligibility and Application Checklist

Each form of financial aid has specific requirements, but some general steps apply to the most common types. We created the checklist below to help you navigate the process. We’ll give an overview of what’s needed, along with tips to make securing funding as stress-free as possible.

Complete the FAFSA Early

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is a critical (and often the first) step in applying for financial aid. It allows you to receive federal aid and helps colleges determine if you qualify for any scholarships or grants.

If it feels like there are too many forms to complete, take a break and then get back on track. This checklist can guide you through the process. Refer to it before you start filling in the FAFSA form.

Over $275.1 billion in financial aid was awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who completed a FAFSA form in the 2024-2025 school year, according to the College Board. That averages out to $16,810 per undergraduate student and $29,160 per graduate student; 87% of first-time undergraduate students received financial aid after completing a FAFSA form, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Review Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

Each scholarship and grant has its own eligibility and application requirements. Students must submit specific documentation and (in some cases) maintain a minimum GPA and/or course load to continue receiving aid.

Note that a failure to thoroughly review and understand the terms of an offer for financial aid can result in losing that aid in the middle of an academic term. So, you should review financial aid packages carefully to take advantage of every available option.

Check Deadlines and Apply Early

Scholarship application deadlines might coincide with other school-related tasks, but applying early can help you avoid the stress of a last-minute rush to get everything in on time.

Submitting applications early shows that you are conscientious and proactive about your education. Plus, it might increase your chances of receiving financial aid. Some funding operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earliest applicants have the greatest chance of getting aid.

Gather All Necessary Documents

Applying for financial aid typically involves submitting several different types of documentation, including letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a statement of purpose or essay, financial information, and standardized test scores.

Scholarships for human services programs might require a portfolio that showcases any social work you’ve done in the past. You can streamline the process and avoid mistakes by gathering all necessary paperwork before you fill out applications for financial aid.

Receive Feedback on Supplemental Materials

Make sure your application highlights your strengths so you can stand out from other applicants. It’s helpful to have a mentor or teacher review your essay and other written materials before submission. They can advise you on how to emphasize your needs, skills, and experience and illustrate how they’re relevant to earning a human services degree.

By using persuasive, on-point language, you can present yourself as an invested candidate for scholarships and other types of financial aid.

Review Award Letters

As a financial aid recipient, you’ll receive an award letter from a school that contains important details about the package. These letters specify the type of aid, the amount, terms and conditions for keeping the aid, and directions to accept or decline it. It’s important that you carefully read these letters to make sure you meet all of the requirements and to determine which school has the best offer.

Common Funding Options for Human Services Students

Understanding how you can finance your education is a key step to success. Below, we’ll discuss the most common types of financial aid and which ones are most related to the human services field. We’ll also give examples of each type of financial aid so you can choose the one that is best suited for your needs.

Federal Student Aid

Student loans are funded through state and federal governments and private institutions. Federal student loans typically have lower interest rates, and subsidized loans don’t accrue interest while students are in college. They are preferred over private loans, which usually have much higher interest rates.

Subsidized federal loans offer students peace of mind during school. If federal loans don’t fully cover the cost of tuition and other fees, private loans can fill in the gaps. Loans can provide a way to earn a human services degree, but they might influence future job choices if students focus on paying off debt instead of advancing their skills.

Institutional Aid

Institutional scholarships come directly from individual schools. They often include mentoring and increased access to seminars, workshops, and campus resources.

Individual colleges, state or federal governments, and/or professional organizations might offer grants. Institutional grants motivate students to maintain high grades, which indicates a high level of commitment to potential employers.

Payment Plans

In conjunction with federal student aid, institutional aid, and grants, you’ll likely be responsible for some amount of tuition each semester. These costs can often overwhelm students and result in sticker shock if you must pay all of that money at once. Many schools offer payment plans so students can break up the cost of tuition over the course of the semester.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships, especially healthcare scholarships, can significantly benefit human services students during and after college. They can help reduce the cost of an education, and students don’t need to take out loans and repay them at a high interest rate. Private scholarships, which typically come from corporations, non-profit organizations, and/or professional associations, often focus on specific niches and signal to employers that the recipient has high potential.

EmPOWERED to Serve Scholars Program

• Amount: $5,000

• This program awards scholarship funds to undergraduate students who volunteer in their communities while enrolled in school. Applicable organizations include student-led or other groups that address food insecurity, housing, vocational opportunities, healthcare access, and reducing disparities between members of the community.

Voyager Scholarship

• Amount: $50,000

• This scholarship is designed for students with a passion for helping others who serve their communities. Recipients can attend a summit program with President Barack Obama and gain access to a network of leaders and mentors.

David Malcolm Scholarship

• Amount: $2,500
• This scholarship is designed to assist students who persevered through personal, demographic, or situational obstacles with educational expenses.

Find more scholarships for human services students.