Many young people who are considering a career in fashion design are often made to feel that a degree or diploma in such a field does not really count as a “college education.” That is wrong. Anyone can benefit from further education in any career choice, regardless of the area of concentration.For this reason, students attending fashion design schools, especially accredited ones (which should be the only ones that should even be considered) can be eligible for the same financial aid services as those that attend other two- or four-year colleges. Some of the types of financial aid are listed below, but this list should not be considered all-inclusive. If you have the drive and desire to work in fashion design, you will find a way to afford fashion design school.Student loans: The types of student loans available are numerous: FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid), and if you are eligible, you could receive a Federal Student Loan, Stafford (secured and non-secured), Federal Plus or Federal Perkins. For more detailed information on these and other student loans, simply enter the type of loan or the words “student loans” into any search engine, or ask your high school counselor to help you obtain information on student loans.Looking for other ideas? Contact the fashion college you are interested in attending. They can help by providing specific information on their financial aid programs, loans and grants that will allow you to pay for your education.Grants: These include need-based grants and merit-based grants. The federal Pell grant is an example of a need-based grant, while merit-based grants are based on both academic excellence and financial need, and are usually state-funded.Scholarships: There are scholarships available that can be used to pursue a course of study in any field, including fashion design. As long as the scholarship you are applying for is not specific to one particular thing, and as long as your chosen fashion school accepts it, you should have no trouble using a scholarship to help pay for your education.Certain organizations such as the Veteran’s Administration, the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as other national groups offer scholarships. If you have a parent or grandparent who is considered a veteran, you might want to look into obtaining scholarship information from these sources.Private loans: These are loans that are obtained from a bank, credit union, or other financial institution. If you are just starting out and have not yet established a good credit history, you may need a co-signer before you can receive the loan.The bottom line is that there are many resources available for financial aid. If you are facing budget issues, don’t let it stop you from getting the fashion design education you deserve!