Types of student financial aid are described, and data are presented on student financial aid at Arizona postsecondary institutions for 1972-1981. In 1980-1981, 214,107 or 92.1 percent of the total students in all Arizona postsecondary institutions were surveyed. Enrollment data are presented for public universities, private four-year and graduate level colleges, public community colleges, private community colleges, and proprietary schools. In addition to a graph showing the total number and dollar amounts of all student aid awards for the 9-year period, a more detailed breakdown is provided by category of institution, with percentages of the total amount of aid dollars awarded in each category for each year. The dollar amounts increased substantially for each of the five sectors, and only the private community colleges failed to show a rise in the number of aid awards. While proprietary schools had 6.6 percent of the students enrolled in 1980-1981 and received 22.5 percent of the total student aid dollars, the public community colleges had 52.3 percent of the students, but received 14.4 percent of the aid dollars. The major sources of aid to students are discussed: scholarships and grants, student employment, and student loans. Specific programs that are described include: the Arizona State Student Incentive Grant Program, Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, College Work Study, National Direct Student Loans, and Guaranteed Student Loans. Trends in Student Aid are reviewed by category of institution and by the source of aid. In addition, an introductory section presents background information about the evolution and processes of financial aid in the United States. (SW)