Gather all the information that the FAFSA requires you to have access to.
Figure out whether it is possible to fill out the FAFSA as an independent student. If you are independent, parental information is not required for you to complete the FAFSA. To be a dependent student, you cannot be married, working on an advanced degree, an orphan or ward of the state, have children or dependents that you support, be an active duty veteran, an emancipated minor, homeless or born before January 1, 1988.
Fill out the FAFSA. If you are filing as an independent student, just follow the directions given to you by the FAFSA forms. If you are still a dependent student and need information from one or both parents and they are unavailable, you will still be allowed to submit the FAFSA without this information. This will keep you from receiving an expected family contribution number, which can delay your aid.
Call the financial aid officer at your college. She will help you receive your family contribution number if you explain your situation.
Follow up with your financial aid officer if you haven't heard from him in a couple of days. These officers deal with many different financial aid cases, and you want to make sure that you aren't lost in the shuffle.