2017–18 Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid - A Guide for Those Advising Students About Financial Aid for Higher Education

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob

2017–18 Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid provides guidance for advisors helping students understand and access financial aid for higher education. It includes important publication notes on when information was compiled and where to find updates for federal student aid programs. The handbook directs readers to official resources such as FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov and key student-facing websites, with contact details, language assistance services, and ordering resources for federal student aid publications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages49

Reading Time2 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Important Resources

Websites

For You

For Your Students

Contacts

2017–18 Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid A Guide for Those Advising Students About Financial Aid for Higher Education Important note: The information in this publication was compiled in spring and summer 2016. For the latest changes to the federal student aid programs, consult the “Announcements” section at [FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov](FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov). U.S. Department of Education Betsy DeVos Secretary Federal Student Aid James W. Runcie Chief Operating Officer Customer Experience Office Jay Hurt Acting Chief Customer Experience Officer Originally published September 2016; minor updates April 2017 Except as otherwise noted, the content of this publication is not protected by copyright. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reproduce this publication is not necessary, the citation should be: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Customer Experience Office, Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid—A Guide for Those Advising Students About Financial Aid for Higher Education, Washington, D.C., 2017. Cover photo: U.S. Department of Education This guide is available online [at](at FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov/handbook)[ FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov/handbook](at FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov/handbook). On request, this publication is available in alternate formats, such as Braille, large print, or computer diskette. For more information, contact the Department’s Alternate Format Center at 202-260-0852 or 202-260-0818. Some of the web addresses in this publication are for sites created and maintained by organizations other than the U.S. Department of Education. They are provided for the reader's convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of particular web addresses is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed or products or services offered on these outside sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites. If you have difficulty understanding English, you may request language assistance services for Department information that is available to the public. These language assistance services are available free of charge. If you need more information about interpretation or translation services, please call 1-800-USALEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY for the deaf or hard of hearing: 1-800-437-0833), or email us at [ed.language.assistance@ed.gov](ed.language.assistance@ed.gov), or write to U.S. Department of Education Information Resource Center LBJ Education Building 400 Maryland Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20202 View federal student aid publications and resources [in Spanish at](in Spanish at StudentAid.gov/recursos)[ StudentAid.gov/recursos](in Spanish at StudentAid.gov/recursos). Important Resources Websites For You • Financial Aid Toolkit—resources to help you help your [students:](students: FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov)[ FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov](students: FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov) o Information about free training for you o Financial aid PowerPoint presentations and scripts o Searchable library of fact sheets, videos, sample tweets, infographics, other resources o Tips on outreach to students and parents • Federal [Student Aid Publications Ordering System:](Student Aid Publications Ordering System: www.FSAPubs.gov)[ www.FSAPubs.gov](Student Aid Publications Ordering System: www.FSAPubs.gov)[ ](Student Aid Publications Ordering System: www.FSAPubs.gov)For Your Students • [StudentAid.gov](StudentAid.gov)—planning for college, paying for college, and repaying student loans: [StudentAid.gov](StudentAid.gov) • College Preparation Checklist—a student’s or parent’s first stop for information on academic and financial preparation: [StudentAid.gov/checklist](StudentAid.gov/checklist) • Federal Stude

FAQs

When was the information in the handbook compiled, and where can readers check for updates?

The publication information was compiled in spring and summer 2016. For the latest changes, readers should consult the “Announcements” section at FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov.

What online resources does the handbook point counselors and students to?

It directs readers to FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov and StudentAid.gov/recursos, including tools like StudentAid.gov, the College Preparation Checklist, Federal Student Aid at a Glance, Avoiding Scams, and resources on FAFSA and FSA ID.

How can a reader request language assistance or interpretation/translation services?

Readers can call 1-800-USALEARN (1-800-872-5327) with TTY support at 1-800-437-0833, or email ed.language.assistance@ed.gov, or write to the U.S. Department of Education Information Resource Center.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob