Financial Aid guides
FAFSA, CSS Profile, scholarships, federal loans, and how to pay for college without overpaying.
14 guides.
- 01
Foundations of College Financial Aid
Financial aid is money that helps students and families pay the cost of college. It is not a single program.
34 min read
- 02
FAFSA: Filing, Data, and Special Situations
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the US Department of Education's application for federal financial aid.
36 min read
- 03
CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is a financial aid application administered by the College Board. About 200 mostly-private US colleges and a smaller number of scholarship…
20 min read
- 04
Federal Grants
The Pell Grant is the largest federal need-based grant program for undergraduate students. Federal Grants — a parent-friendly guide.
21 min read
- 05
Federal Student Loans
A Direct Subsidized Loan is a federal student loan available to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.
28 min read
- 06
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federal aid program that subsidizes part-time jobs for students with financial need.
10 min read
- 07
State Aid Programs (Non-California)
State aid programs are need-based and merit-based grants and scholarships administered by individual US states.
17 min read
- 08
Section 7b — California State Aid Programs
Cal Grant A is the California state grant program that covers tuition and fees for eligible California residents at four-year UC, CSU, and approved private…
42 min read
- 09
Institutional Aid
Institutional aid is grant or scholarship money from the college itself, not the federal or state government. Institutional Aid — a parent-friendly guide.
27 min read
- 10
Private and Outside Scholarships
Private (outside) scholarships make up approximately 6% of total US student grant aid, according to College Board's Trends in Student Aid 2024.
22 min read
- 11
Appeals and Negotiation
Professional Judgment (PJ) is the federally-authorized authority of college financial aid administrators to override or adjust FAFSA data based on documented…
22 min read
- 12
Special Situations
Undocumented students, including DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, are NOT eligible for federal financial aid.
30 min read
- 13
College Savings and Tax Benefits
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged college savings account authorized by IRC Section 529. Contributions grow tax-free at the federal level, and withdrawals for…
21 min read
- 14
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) 2026-27 Changes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is a 2025 federal law making several substantive changes to the federal student aid system.
18 min read