Gather the documents needed to complete the FAFSA. You need your Social Security number, driver's license, W-2 form from the prior year and your IRS 1040 tax return form. If you depend on your parents for support, your need to include their federal tax returns. Additionally, you need documents relating to any other income you made, bank statements, business financial records and your permanent residency card if you are not a citizen.
Locate your New York school's Federal School Code (see Resources). The code is needed to identify the school that the aid should be sent to.
Fill out the FAFSA application using the documents you gather. You must complete the application at the FAFSA website (see Resources). Click "Start" to create a user name and password. Complete the questionnaire. You will be required to enter your name, address, the New York school you will attend and your family's income information.
Click on the option at the end of the application that links the FAFSA to a new TAP application. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the TAP application. The name, address and financial information will transfer to the TAP application. If you failed to click on the link option, you will receive an email after three days with instructions for linking the applications.
Review the Student Aid Report that you will receive in the mail from FAFSA and TAP. The report lists the various federal and state aid programs that you are eligible for. You must accept this aid through your individual campus' financial aid office by following the instructions in the letter.