Below, you'll find pointers to a variety of financial aid resources offered by the federal government.

Several of these resources are described in detail on the FinAid site:

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
You must fill out the FAFSA form in order to apply for federal and state student assistance. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, also require the FAFSA. FinAid's FAFSA section contains a database of the Title IV School Codes needed to complete the form as well as instructions and tips for filling it out. The section also links to a variety of government sites related to the FAFSA, such as FAFSA Express (a PC version of the form) and FAFSA on the Web (an interactive online version of the form).

Student/Parent Loans
Provides information about federal educational loans for parents and students.

Grants
Describes a variety of grants offered by agencies of the federal government.

Other excellent sources of information and advice are available directly from the federal government:

US Department of Education: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE)
The US Department of Education (USED) offers a considerable amount of information about student financial aid online, including electronic versions of the following print publications:

• Student Guide
  This is the basic introduction to federal student assistance programs.
• Funding Your Education
  This publication is very similar to the Student Guide.
• Preparing Your Child for College This 57-page booklet includes information about both financial aid and academic preparation.
• Looking for Student Aid
  A very short introduction to financial aid, published by the US Department of Education and offered online by the FinAid.
  Print version can be obtained by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center or by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN.

Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)
The Federal Student Aid Information Center operates a toll free hotline to answer questions about federal student assistance programs. The FSAIC can answer your questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the federal Stafford and PLUS educational loan programs, the Pell Grant program and other topics.
Phone: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) (TDD for hearing impaired individuals: 1-800-730-8913)

Federal Student Aid Information Center
PO Box 84
Washington, DC 20044

Project EASI
Project EASI (Easy Access for Students and Institutions) is a collaborative effort among government, business and higher education leaders to reengineer student financial aid delivery. The project's web site contains information and advice useful for planning, applying and paying for education beyond high school.
For more information, contact:
Project EASI
US Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue ROB-3, Room 5102
Washington, DC
20202-5130
Phone: 1-202-708-8391
Fax: 1-202-708-7157

Student Aid on the Web
The US Department of Education's studentaid.ed.gov site contains links to information provided elsewhere by the Department, organized by year in school.