The cost of education beyond high school continues to rise. At Federal Student Aid, we offer financial aid programs that help millions of students manage the cost of education each year.

Education is your most important first step toward success.

Education creates opportunities. No qualified student should be denied an education because the cost is too high. So, if you’re considering education beyond high school and wondering how you will pay, this guide can help. There’s money available—but you need to apply to be eligible.

We tell you exactly how in this guide. In fact, the guide will tell you most everything you need to know about federal student assistance programs—grants, loans, work-study and more. It leads you step by step through the process—including completing the required application. So rest easy: the guide explains everything in simple, direct terms.


We’re Federal Student Aid— your expert source of aid.


Our team at Federal Student Aid is committed to making sure that all eligible students can benefit from financial help for education beyond high school.

There may be a good deal more of this help on hand than you think. Last year alone, we provided nearly $78 billion in the form of grants, work-study and low-interest loans. About 10 million students benefited from this aid. Many of them could not have managed the rising cost of education without our help.

Chances are you know someone who took advantage of one or more of our federal student assistance programs. It’s very possible that you can make this happen for yourself or a family member. The key: Start here, today, and go further.


Start with us. We’re here to help … a  www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov


You’ll find lots of useful information at our Web site. Our office publishes many other print publications that you will find helpful (see inside back cover for the list). All of them are free by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or go to www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs.

Changes to the federal student aid programs were made into law last year. These changes, reflected in this guide, are: two new grant programs, fixed instead of variable interest rates for Stafford and PLUS loans, increased Stafford loan limits, the expansion of PLUS loans to include graduate and professional degree students, a military deferment option and a dependency status modification. Our guide might just give you the boost you need to make community college, university or trade school a reality. So take advantage of the resources we provide: we’re here to help you as you go forward into new successes.