The 2008-09 Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid provides useful information to help high school counselors, TRIO and GEAR UP staff, and other mentors advise students about financial aid for postsecondary education. This book focuses on the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It contains an overview of federal student aid programs, a guide to the application process for financial aid, and instructions and pointers for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (Contains 2 figures and 4 tables. Appended are: (1) Draft FAFSA Form; (2) Sources of Additional Information; (3) Directory of State Agencies; (4) Glossary; (5) Handouts; and (6) Draft 2008-09 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet.) [This handbook was published by the Office of Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education.]