This resource paper provides an overview of student financial aid and discusses the roles and responsibilities of those who play a significant part in the process of providing aid to students with disabilities. The paper also addresses the financial aid application procedure and suggests timelines and resources for those individuals who are seeking financial aid. The information is based on the best available information at the time of publication in January 2001 and reflects information for the 2001-2002 school year. The first section of the paper covers the various types of financial aid, the technical words and phrases used to describe them, and the processes involved in their disbursement. Particular attention is given to those expenses that are considered disability related and suggestions are made about ways in which some of those expenses may be met. Also included is a brief description of vocational rehabilitation agencies, the services that they may provide, and the interaction between the state vocational rehabilitation agency and the financial aid office of a postsecondary institution. Finally, suggestions are offered about additional possibilities for financial assistance. A list of helpful Internet sites and a pre-college financial aid checklist are provided. (CR)