In April 1978, the Commissioner of Education in New York approved a new part 53 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (to reflect and administer the intent of Section 493A of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by Public Law 94-482 concerning the dissemination of information to postsecondary students) entitled "Information for Students and Prospective Students." Pursuant to Part 53, the Education Department has been publishing editions of the booklet to provide postsecondary institutions with brief descriptions of New York State and federal student financial aid programs for use in preparing college catalogs and bulletins. The most recent edition incorporates changes occurring through state and federal legislative action since the last edition and is current as of August 1988. Three sections list: (1) 37 state administered programs (i.e., Tuition Assistance Program, Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarships, the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program, Parent Loans for Students, and College Discovery); (2) about 60 federal programs (i.e., Pell Grants, Perkins Loan Program, College Work Study Program, Bureau of Indian Affairs Aid to Native Americans, and Veterans Administration Educational Benefits); and (3) provisions of the part 53 amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Each description includes a precise explanation of application procedures, methods of selection of recipients, allocation of awards, award schedules, and responsibilities of recipients. (SM)