<p>Many students and parents find the “self-help” section of a Financial Aid award confusing. A student may accept or decline an offer of self-help. When figuring out how much money you owe the university – DO NOT include their offer of self-help as grant or scholarship money, as the student needs to earn that amount over the course of the school year. (The more realistic way to view self-help: Whatever offered – completely ignore it, as the amount needs to be included in the figure you owe the school. Your student will then work over the course of the year and collect the money via paychecks from their term time job.)</p>