Federal Student Aid: How the Application Works

What this is

An explanation of what federal student aid is, who fills out the application, and how a family in a complicated situation approaches the questions about parents and household.

Why it matters

Families often skip the application because they assume they will not qualify or cannot answer the parent questions. Both assumptions cost students money they were entitled to.

What you should know

• The official application is free. Any site charging a fee is not the official one.
• There are defined procedures for students who cannot provide a parent's information; the financial-aid office at the college is the place to raise it.
• Aid can include grants that are not repaid, work-study, and loans — they are not the same thing.
• Students should apply even if the family expects to receive nothing; many state and college awards require it.
• Colleges can review a family's circumstances if income has changed since the tax year used.
• Keep the student's own account credentials — the student, not the caregiver, owns the account.