In a time of ever-rising college costs, financial aid is critical to increase college access and success. Federal, state, and institutional aid programs help to ensure that students can afford higher education regardless of economic background. Financial aid is most effective when students and families learn about it early enough to make the right choices and plans about high school coursework, family savings, work and earnings, and college options. This literature review explores the questions of how and when students and families learn about college costs and financial aid, and how the timing and substance of that information may impact college-going behavior. The research for this review was conducted in 2007 by graduate intern Deland Chan, who wrote it with Deborah Frankle Cochrane. Shannon Gallegos and Edie Irons helped create the finished product. An annotated bibliography is included.