Apply to a college or university that is a Title IV institution -- in other words, an institution of higher learning that participates in the Federal Student Aid program. Ask the school what its Federal School Code is and then use the Federal School Code Search on the Federal Student Aid website to verify its participation in the program. You will not be able to receive any federal student aid to attend a nonparticipating school.
Ensure that you are younger than 24 years old. Students who are 24 years of age and older are automatically considered to be independent students. Ensure that you are single or divorced. Married or separated students are automatically considered to be independent students.
Make sure you are not an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces or a veteran of the U.S. armed forces. Active-duty military members and veterans of the military are automatically considered to be independent students.
Fulfill the requirement that you do not have children or that your children receive less than 50 percent of their financial and material support from you. Students who provide 50 percent or more of one or more child's financial and material support are automatically considered to be independent students.
Ask your school to give you a paper FAFSA form or sign up at the U.S. Education Department's FAFSA website to fill one out online.