Shows how schools set up the operating systems and policies they must have in place before awarding federal financial aid.

Lists Title IV rules for establishing students' cost of attendance; discusses school responsibilities and choices in designing standard budgets for different categories of students.

Illustrates Campus-based program procedures for calculating the amount of money available for awards, matching-fund contributions from the school, and administrative cost allowance;  lists questions school offices might review when estimating funds available from other financial aid programs.

Identifies Title IV packaging rules, decisions schools must make when establishing policies, and commonly used financial aid packaging models.

Explains federal guidelines for qualitative and quantitative satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards; methods and time periods for checking progress; and required policies for probation, appeals, and re-establishing Title IV eligibility.

Traces the steps required and documentation that must be retained as a financial aid office handles the Title IV application process, from FSA application announcement through ED processing to school reporting to ED on application-related data.