When a student applies for student aid, they will receive an award letter if they are approved for aid. An award letter is set to the student from the financial aid office at the college where the student is applying.

In the award letter the student will find detailed information about what the college determined their financial need was, based on the expected family contribution. They will also receive details as to which financial aid programs they qualified for, and therefore were awarded. This includes not only the amounts that they received for financial aid, but also the places where the aid came from.

It is important for a student to read their acceptance letter carefully, so that they are completely aware of what aid they received and why. Also, if they do not receive an award letter, they should check with the financial aid office, to make sure a problem did not occur.

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