Federal Student Aid's core mission is to ensure that all eligible Americans benefit from federal financial assistance--grants, loans and work-study programs--for education beyond high school. The programs administered comprise the nation's largest source of student aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education provides more than $83 billion in aid to nearly 14 million postsecondary students and their families. This guide is a comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of aid available through the Department's Federal Student Aid office. The guide discusses the programs and presents information on the application process. It is organized into the following sections: (1) What You should Know Before You Apply; (2) How Do I Apply; (3) Repaying Your Student Loan; (4) Important Terms; and (5) State Higher Education Agencies. A Federal Student Aid Summary Chart describes aid program names, types of aid, program details, and annual loan limits.