This compilation includes regulations for student financial aid programs as published in the Federal Register through December 31, 1996; it includes the major regulation packages published in November and December 1996 as well as regulations going back to 1974. An introduction provides guidance on reading and understanding federal regulations. The following regulations are covered: Drug Free Schools and Campuses; Family Educational Rights and Privacy; institutional eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; the Secretary's procedures and criteria for recognition of accrediting agencies; the Secretary's recognition procedures for state agencies; the Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program; the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program; student assistance general provisions; general provisions and specific regulations for the Federal Perkins Loan Program, the Federal Work-Study Programs, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program; Federal Family Education Loan Programs; the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program; the Federal Pell Grant Program; the Presidential Access Scholarship Program; the State Student Incentive Grant Program; and the National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership Program. Appended are a list of final regulations published in 1996 and a summary of changes in final regulations published in 1996. An index for both the Federal Student Financial Aid Handbook, 1996-97 and an earlier compilation (through December 31, 1995) is also included. (DB)