Financial aid can come from a variety of sources, including federal and state loans and grants. Determine your eligibility for federal student aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FAFSA is the only application necessary to apply for federal financial aid. In addition, it is used by most states and schools to award non-federal financial aid. www.fafsa.ed.gov

FSA, the Department of Education's federal student aid program, is the largest source of student aid in America, providing financial help for students, usually need-based. www.studentaid.ed.gov

Federal Stafford Loans, student loans that must be repaid, are awarded to undergraduate students. First-year undergraduates are eligible for loans up to $6,625. Amounts increase for subsequent years of study. If you qualify (based on need) for a subsidized Stafford loan, the government will pay the interest on your loan while you are in school at least half time.

Class Standing	Base	Extended	Total Amount
Freshman	$3,500	$4,000	$7,500
Sophomore	$4,500	$4,000	$8,500
Junior/Senior	$5,500	$5,000	$10,500

Perkins Loans, low-interest loans that must be repaid, have a maximum annual loan amount of $4,000 for undergraduate students.

The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) offers registered nurses assistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in critical shortage facilities.  The purpose of the NELRP is to assist in the recruitment and retention of professional nurses dedicated to providing healthcare to underserved populations.  Some eligibility requirements include being an RN, having received a baccalaureate in nursing from an accredited school of nursing and having unpaid qualifying loans obtained for nursing education leading to a degree.

For more information about federal financial aid, please access The Student Guide. This guide from the U.S. Department of Education is a great source of information concerning student federal financial aid. It offers a wealth of information on student federal financial aid programs and how to apply for them.