Financial Aid Award Letters Explained: Grants, Scholarships, Loans & What You Really Owe
You got the acceptance letter—now what does the financial aid offer actually mean?
In this episode of Ol' College Try The Podcast, Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down one of the most confusing parts of the college process: financial aid award letters. From grants and scholarships to loans and work-study, they explain how to read between the lines, spot misleading language, and understand what you’ll really pay—not just this year, but over all four years.
You’ll learn:
The difference between merit scholarships and need-based grants (and why it matters long-term)
How to tell when you’ve…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.