In today's tough economy, a university degree is more important - and more expensive - than ever before. THE FINANCIAL AID HANDBOOK is the definitive, one-stop guide to the university selection and payment process, covering everything from basic timelines and tuition costs to predicting your scholarship award from universities and taking ownership of student debt after graduation. Families and students will appreciate the straightforward language, engaging explanations and hundreds of tips to maximise their financial aid - the scholarship funds that come from the universities themselves. No other book on the market teaches students and parents how to find real, four-year scholarships and how to land them. THE FINANCIAL AID HANDBOOK includes: · The seven biggest myths about paying for university · The ultimate guide to federal, state and private student loans · A step-by-step guide to completing the FAFSA and PROFILE · How to predict scholarship dollars with the Merit Aid Profile or MAP; · Profiles of selected universities with exceptional merit aid · How to negotiate with the financial aid office.