There are a whole range of aids and scholarships available for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Scholarships and graduate fellowships are two kinds of aid that help students pay for their education. While the student loans have to be repaid, scholarships and fellowships do not have any such requirements. A large number of scholarships and fellowships from several thousand sponsors are available every year.
Scholarships and fellowships are generally reserved for students with special needs, qualifications, such as academic, and for those with athletic or artistic talent. Such awards are also available for particular fields of study, members of underrepresented minorities or ethnic groups, applicants who live in certain states/territories or those needing financial aid.
You may like to conduct search for scholarships and fellowships using a personalized search Fastweb for Scholarships, that provides a personalized search.
Here are some resources that should help you in understanding the cost of education and various loans, scholarships, and fellowships available for undergraduate and graduate programs.