Students complete and submit their FAFSA online the official FAFSA website (see Resources).
Once you've completed a FAFSA--for example, the 2008-2009 FAFSA--the website stores the information entered. This allows you to access, edit or review it at any time.
The FAFSA website has three categories: "Before Beginning a FAFSA," "Filling Out a FAFSA" and "FAFSA Follow Up." The second category is the place to start when filling out the FAFSA renewal.
You'll need to verify your identity; once you've done this, you can click on the new FAFSA to fill out. The information you entered on last year's FAFSA will transfer automatically to the renewal FAFSA.
The previous FAFSA information must be reviewed and updated as necessary. Changes might include tax information, the school code or personal data such as your address if it has changed since the last time the form was filled out.
In an effort to help more students obtain financial aid for higher education, the Obama administration revised the 2010 FAFSA; it holds 20 percent fewer questions than the 2009 form.