Financial aid is money provided to help a family pay for college.
A wide variety of programs is available. Financial aid may be gift aid such as a scholarship or grant, or it could be self-help such as a job or a loan. It may be based on student merit, or it could be based on family income. In any case, the primary responsibility for paying for a child's education rests with the family. Financial aid is intended to supplement a family's resources, not replace them.