If you’re a college student receiving federal financial aid (such as a Pell Grant or Federal Direct Student Loan), or the parent to one, you’ll want to know about a few different websites we’ve highlighted below. Each one provides key details on the federal financial aid process, and many offer access to students’ personal financial aid data. As a student, it’s important to be aware of the federal aid you’ve received, especially the loans, so we recommend bookmarking each of these websites for easy access. If you have questions about any of your federal financial aid data, each website has a Help or Contact Us section that includes contact information for the appropriate customer service center. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or further details about your financial aid.

• StudentAid.gov: The main website for Federal Student Aid provides details on every type of financial aid offered by the federal government (grants, work-study, and loans) and explains the financial aid application process, aid eligibility, and loan repayment. It also offers helpful guidance on preparing for college, including a career search, tips on selecting a school, and steps to creating a budget. You can also log in to view all of the details of your federal student aid, complete student loan entrance counseling and sign your Master Promissory Note on this site.
• fafsa.gov: Anyone wishing to apply for financial aid will need to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA^®, every year. The FAFSA can be completed in full online. Users will be asked questions about income, assets, and family size, and need to list all college where the student is applying.
• StudentAid.gov/fsa-id: The FSA ID is a login name and password that allows students to access their financial aid details on StudentAid.gov and complete the FAFSA. One parent will also need to secure an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA. The StudentAid.gov/fsa-id website allows both parents and students to easily establish their FSA ID.
• MyEDDebt.ed.gov: If you have a defaulted federal education loan or grant, you can visit this resource to help resolve your debt. (As a side note, federal grants only require repayment due to an over-award or an early withdrawal from a program for which you received a grant.)