Gather all of your financial documents. This includes bank statements, tax returns, W-2s,1099s and bills you pay regularly. The Department of Education wants as complete a picture of your finances as possible, so it is important to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork before getting started. If you are still considered a dependent of your parents (if you still live at home or are rely on them for support,) you will also need copies of your parents' tax documents and financial information.
Fill out a FAFSA. This is the government's Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and is available at any financial office, or online at the official Department of Education website. See the Resources section for a link.
Print out your completed form once, as well as your Estimated Family Contribution, or EFC. The EFC is a very important number as it will determine what percentage of your school costs the government will pay for. It is important to hang on to this information so when you file a renewal FAFSA in January, you can reference it quickly and easy.
Put your forms in a safe place, and keep them until the next year. Make sure to apply again as soon as possible in January to receive benefits for that year's fall term. Since you originally applied during the summer, you will already be on file with the Department of Education, and will only have to enter updated information, and your EFC will most likely remain the same.