What type of financial assistance must students repay with interest after they cease attending school?

Students are required to repay student loans with interest after they stop attending school. This type of financial assistance is specifically designed to help cover educational costs, and while students can utilize these loans to finance their education, the understanding is that they will need to pay back the amount borrowed, plus any accrued interest, typically starting after a grace period following their graduation or departure from school.

In contrast, scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid that do not require repayment, as they are awarded based on merit or need rather than as a loan. Fellowships may also provide funding that does not need to be repaid, but these are often tied to specific projects or work assignments, rather than simply attending school. Thus, student loans represent the category of assistance that involves a financial commitment to repayment with interest.