Colleges themselves will give you your financial aid. Here’s what happens:
Colleges will get information from the FAFSA® to figure out how much financial aid to offer you. Then, usually around April, they’ll send you this information in a financial aid award letter (listing how much you’d get in grants, work-study, and loans).
You’ll review your financial aid award. If your circumstances have changed since you originally applied (or since your 2023 taxes), you can write an appeal letter to request more aid.
Assuming you accept your aid offer, your college will automatically apply the money as credit towards your tuition and student bills. Anything left over is then given to you (via a check or deposit) to cover additional expenses like books, school supplies, or rent.