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.
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 $83 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.
You’ll find lots of useful information at our Web site. There you can find the online version of this and other publications, apply for federal student aid online and have just about any question on federal student aid answered. This year, you’ll also find a brand new product—FAFSA4caster. We believe it’s important to notify students of their aid eligibility early. FAFSA4caster helps prospective students and their parents to prepare financially for a postsecondary education by estimating their federal student aid eligibility. See page 3 for more information on FAFSA4caster.
Our office publishes many other print publications that you will find helpful (see page 41). All of them can be ordered free at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or go to www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/pubs. So take advantage of federal grant, work-study and loan programs as well as aid available from your state and the school you plan to attend. These resources might just give you the boost you need to make community college, university or trade school a reality. So get started, we’re here to help as you go forward.
— The Federal Student Aid Team
U.S. Department of Education
