<p>Forgive my ignorance… I actually have no idea what a stipend is or how it works. stipend as in: full ride for college + $some amount stipend. Is it a loan that the student pays back later, or is it “free money” for college supplies, housing, eating, etc? Thanks :D</p>
<p>A stipend is a payment. It’s “free” money. Most stipends can be spent by the student for whatever they wish, though typically students are expected to use them to pay their living expenses and books.</p>
<p>Ohh, thank you so much :)</p>
<p>It is free money, but it may have stipulations. Unlike a job where you may get paid by the hour or other term, a stipend is usually a fixed amount with general duties described that are expected of the recipient. For example, my son worked at a rec center as a trainee and got a stipend of a fixed amount. He had to show up on a schedule but his dollar amount did not reflect when the center closed or if he was ill and could not come in. Everyone on that program got that dollar amount as long as they pretty much fulfilled the requirements for the stipend. My other sons who worked there were paid on an hourly basis and got paid exactly for what they worked.</p>
<p>Some stipends do require working to earn them. (Ex. D2 worked 40 hours/week as part of summer research program for which she received a stipend.) However, not all stipends have a work component. (Ex. our state U gives stipends to OOS students as part of their scholarship/merit award to cover excess transportation costs.)</p>