Catholic colleges offer all of the same options for financial aid that most colleges do, whether they are private or public colleges. Need based aid, federal and state grants, loans, and work study programs are all available at most, if not all, Catholic colleges.
Catholic colleges also offer various scholarships for things like academics, athletics, extracurriculars, and even some religious scholarships. The religious scholarships will be for students who are actively participating in the Catholic church and will most likely require that students have references.
Private or external scholarships are also accepted at Catholic colleges, depending on the source. Most external scholarships are likely to be accepted, however there are possible exceptions. To make sure that any external or private scholarships a student may receive will be accepted at a Catholic college, students should get in touch with the financial aid department of the specific college.
Overall, financial aid is offered in the same way at Catholic colleges as it is at most other colleges. Once a student is accepted to a Catholic college, they should receive their financial aid package, detailing what sort of scholarships, need-based aid, and federal or state aid they are eligible to receive. For more specific questions about a Catholic college's financial aid process, students should contact the financial aid office of the college itself.