financial aid

American

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

noun

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.

After graduating high school, B.B. got into nursing school but couldn’t attend because she didn’t qualify for financial aid.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The U.A.E. has reportedly been looking for financial aid External link from the U.S. as the war drains its finances.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Teen brokerage accounts, as well as traditional custodial accounts, can hurt financial aid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

I continued to indicate my race on applications for financial aid.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

financial aid

noun

Etymology

Origin of financial aid

Example Sentences

Related Words