<p>Almost all schools will build a financial aid package first with self-help money (typically a $5500 Stafford Loan and $2500 work study) and then add on their institutional grants. So, if your determined need is $10,000, your aid package would most likely be $5500 Stafford Loan, $2500 work study and a $2000 institutional grant. This assumes that you aren’t Pell eligible. Keep in mind that work study is just an opportunity for you find a work-study job on campus. There is no guarantee that you will find one, and it’s also not a requirement that you look for one (at most schools). You will have an opportunity to accept or deny each component of your aid package. So, if you want, you can take the loan and grant money, but decline the work study.</p>