Your college's financial aid office determines your financial aid package by using the information from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a free form that may be completed without professional assistance via paper or electronic forms provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

The financial aid office will subtract your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the cost of attendance at the college, and that tells them your financial need. They'll try to meet your financial need with any funds that are available to you. These may include grants, scholarships, loans or work-study.