Most grants are need-based: they are given to students who have a financial need due to their (insufficient) household income. They are also harder to get; the distribution of grants is usually limited and depends on very specific requirements.

Student loans are personal debts - you take and must pay them back to the loan provider (government or private) after you graduate or drop out of college. You may defer your student loan payments for up to six months after leaving school, but then you pay in monthly installments until the loan is paid in full. There can also be interest rates involved, which could significantly increase the amount you have to pay out in the end.

Scholarships are emitted by scholarship providers - be it government, companies, associations, or individuals. They are mostly based on merit and GPA score, although requirements vary. Typically you don’t pay them back.

Scholarships are usually slightly harder to get than student loans - the competition is greater, and requirements more strict. But, on the flipside, you don’t pay them back, and they are still easier to obtain than grants.

Choosing one of these depends on your situation, but it is generally better to get scholarships and grants so you can avoid heavy debt after college.