Financial Aid Overview

Financial aid, which helps you pay the costs of going to college, comes from a variety of sources. Most students can get some form of financial aid.

• Types of financial aid: Find out about the types of financial aid that are available. Some you have to pay back, some you don't.

• Am I "dependent" or "independent"?: That decision is based on federal guidelines. Here's what those guidelines say.

• Is a credit card right for me?: One of the first things you'll see when you get to campus will be booths where credit card companies want you to apply for a credit card. If you're used to having a credit card, you should be OK. If you're not, you need to read this section.

• The FAFSA and other financial aid applications: You have to apply for most financial aid, and the form most often used is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, generally just called the FAFSA.