American universities offer many different kinds of financial aid to students, including assistantships, grants, scholarships and fellowships. An assistantship is a job a student does. In exchange, the student receives money or attends classes for free. Graduate students usually get assistantships. They may teach classes, help grade papers and tests, or do research in a laboratory. A grant is a gift of money to pay for some or all of the costs of college. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid. Private groups or organizations generally give grants to students who need the money. Scholarships and fellowships also do not have to be repaid. A scholarship is financial aid to undergraduate students; a fellowship is the same kind of aid for graduate students. Generally, scholarships and fellowships go to students with special abilities or athletic skills. Some scholarships are based on financial need. Others go to students who live in a certain area.