You think you have seen it all in higher education. Then you step into financial aid.

This book pulls back the curtain on the real stories from the financial aid office. The ones that make you laugh until you cry, shake your head in disbelief, and remember exactly why you keep showing up for students day after day.

Written by financial aid professionals from across the WASFAA community, this collection brings together the emails, late-night crises, phone calls, tears, and small victories that never make it into policy manuals. From FAFSA mix-ups and surprising parent conversations to quiet moments where a student finally says, “Thank you, I didn’t think this was possible for me,” these stories capture the heart, humor, and humanity of the work.

You will recognize the characters. The last-minute filers. The overprepared parents. The students who carry more than anyone knows. You will also see yourself, your colleagues, and the unseen emotional labor that lives behind every award letter and appeal.

Whether you work in financial aid, partner with student services, or simply survived the college process, this book will make you laugh, think, and feel proud of the people who help students cross the finish line.

This is financial aid, unfiltered. I hope this helps you remember why your work matters.