Explanation should include the following for most federal, state, or institutional aid:

Set up an account with Federal Student Aid (FSA) at https://studentaid.gov/to create an FSA ID, which will be the primary account for applying for and monitoring all federal aid.
Complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa as soon after October 1 as possible.
If the student is dependent, have a parent or guardian complete the FAFSA using their own FSA ID.
For all institutions to which the student plans to apply, arrange to have the Student Aid Report (SAR) sent to the institution.
Review the financial aid process and deadlines at each institution to determine if there are other applications to complete, such as the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.
Create a budget of all expenses and all available financial resources, such as savings, pre-paid plans, and outside scholarships to determine budgeted need.
Review the Financial Aid Award Letter from the institution and decide what aid to accept and what aid not to accept based on budgeted need – gift aid such as grants, scholarships, and work study should be accepted and all self-help aid such as loans should be carefully considered against budgeted need and repayment requirements and interest.
Contact the financial aid office at the institution for questions or to appeal the amount of aid awarded.