Your source for free information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school. Our core mission is to ensure that all eligible individuals benefit from federal financial assistance—grants, loans and work-study programs—for education beyond high school. The aid from our programs allows students and their families to cover school expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. The programs we administer comprise the nation's largest source of student aid.