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: during the 2004-05 school year alone, approximately $74 billion in new aid was provided to nearly 10 million postsecondary students and their families. This guide provides information for students considering education beyond high school and wondering how they will pay for it. It provides information on how to apply to the federal student aid program in order to to be eligible for financial aid. It presents almost all the information one needs to know about federal student assistance programs--grants, loans, work-study and more. It leads the reader step-by-step through the process--including the famous FAFSA form. The guide explains everything in simple, direct terms in offering an abundance of information on obtaining federal student aid. It is organized into the following sections: (1) What You should Know before You Apply; (2) Start Here... How Do I Apply; and (3) Repaying Your Student Loan; (4) Important Terms; and (5) State Higher Education Agencies. A contact for each state is listed at the end of the document.