What is the difference between 'aid' and 'help'?

[Tung Quoc]

Dear teachers,

Please read:

1. to aid an orphan in his studies.
2. to help an orphan in his studies.

In these cases, “aid” and” help” have the same meaning?

Thanks
Quoc

[Pamela]

Hi, Quoc. Yes, they have the same meaning but I prefer help, it's more common to me. Aid is more formal.

[DOlier]

"Aid" is rarely used as a verb. It is normally a noun.

[Tung Quoc]

Hi,

So,

help (n) = aid (n)?

Ex: She came to our help.
= She came to our aid.
Do you need any help? = Do you need any aid?

Ok?
If help (noun) is has the same meaning as aid (noun), how to distinguis them in use?Are they interchangeable or not?

Quoc