Decide if you would like to complete an online or paper application. To complete a paper application, go to the U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA website, download a PDF application and print. To complete an online application, start by going to the FAFSA website and enter your first and last name, Social Security number and date of birth. If you do not already have an active Federal Student Aid PIN, you will need to apply for one. Enter your personal details when prompted in order to apply for the Federal Student Aid PIN. Once you receive your PIN, you may proceed to fill out the online application.
Fill out your personal information as prompted, including details such as your name, gender, Social Security number and where you attended high school. Enter your personal financial information as prompted, including how much you earned in the last year, any savings you may have and, if you are married, how much your spouse earned.
Answer the questions as prompted regarding your independent status. Students over the age of 24, emancipated, currently seeking post-graduate education/other cases do not have to provide their parents' financial information.
Fill your parents' personal and financial information as prompted, including their marital status, Social Security number, how much they earned in the last year and any savings or investments they have.
Indicate which colleges you are interested in attending and that you wish them to receive the FAFSA information you provided.
Sign and date the paper application, if using a paper application, and have your parents do so as well,if you are required to provide your parents' information. Put in an envelope and send the completed application to: Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 7002, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-0072. If completing the online application, make sure you get to the final screen indicating that you have successfully completed the online application.