The aid offer or award letter is a summary of the cost of attendance less any eligible federal, state, and institutional financial aid support being offered.
Federal aid may include grants, such as the Pell Grant, work-study, and loans.
State aid typically includes grants and scholarships.
Institutional support may include scholarships, grants, Work-study and instituitional loans.
The aid offer can be used to determine Net Price, which is the cost of attendance minus the free money - grants and scholarships. The remaning Net Price needs to be paid in from cash, savings, and/or financed using loans.