Federal student aid programs for postsecondary education, and the procedures for applying for them, are described. The following topics are addressed: (1) finding out about student financial aid (sources other than this guide); (2) U. S. Department of Education student aid--general information (eligibility; financial need; forms, records and reports needed for applying; verification; transfer students; deadlines; addresses; telephone numbers; student rights and responsibilities; choosing a school carefully); (3) five U. S. Department of Education programs (Pell Grants; Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants; college work-study; Perkins Loans; Guaranteed Student Loans, including Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans and Supplemental Loans for Students; and consolidating loans); (4) state educational agencies (sources of information on Guaranteed Student Loans, PLUS loans and Supplementary Loans for Students, and state student aid); and (5) addresses and phone numbers for U. S. Department of Education regional offices. A glossary is provided. (KM)