Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

financial aid

American  
[fi-nan-shuhl eyd, fahy-] / fɪˈnæn ʃəl ˈeɪd, faɪ- /

noun

  1. monetary support, as a loan or scholarship, that is used to pay for school, especially higher education.

    I don’t qualify for need-based financial aid, so I’ll have to hope I’m awarded a merit-based grant.


Etymology

Origin of financial aid

First recorded in 1770–80, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“These lawmakers have an opportunity to support workers by providing financial aid when they see themselves impacted by the raids.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

In return, analysts say North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, food and energy, helping it circumvent sanctions over its banned nuclear programmes.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

In November, he will represent a class of students suing elite schools including Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania in a jury trial over alleged price-fixing related to financial aid.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Lockwood hears from parents who wonder if saving for college penalizes them when it comes to financial aid.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Most of the students who did approach the table showed little interest in the financial aid and expressed little need for it.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "financial aid" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com