Financial aid covers the education costs that you can't pay for. Most financial aid is awarded to families on the basis of eligibility or need which is determined by the school you attend based on information you provide about you and your family's ability to pay for your education costs and formulas set by law.

FAFSA opens the door to the federal aid process. Every step you can take gets you closer to achieving your education goals. Find out what you can expect from beginning to end. Start here

  In general, there are four types of financial aid -- Scholarships, grants, work-study and loans -- some of which you may receive to help pay for your education. Scholarships and grants are gift aid. Scholarships may be based on merit or special interests. Grants are given to students judged to have financial need. Government-sponsored student loans are based on eligibility requirements and must be repaid. Work-study provides jobs for students with financial need to help pay for education expenses.

The first form you will need to fill out to receive financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) This form, is designed to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and should be completed as early as possible in the year you plan to start college.

The federal government offers the most grant and student loan programs but several states also offer a variety of financial aid programs. Federal financial aid programs include the following:

• Federal Pell Grant assists undergraduate students with financial need attending any eligible public or private school. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant assists undergraduate students with financial need attending any eligible public or private postsecondary school.
• Federal Work-Study Program provides employment opportunities for undergraduate students with financial need attending any eligible postsecondary school.
• Federal Perkins Loan Program provides long-term, low-interest loans to financially needy students attending any eligible postsecondary school.
• Federal Family Education Loan Programs includes Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal PLUS (Parent) Loans, and Federal Consolidation Loans.
• Federal Direct Student Loan Program offers loans directly to students and parents through schools. The Direct Loan Progam offers Direct Stafford Loans (Direct Subsidized), Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (Direct Unsubsidized), Direct PLUS (Parent) Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans.