Go to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. This application can be completed online and will put you in the running for several different Federal grant programs, including the Pell grant and the Academic Competitiveness grant.
Apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN (personal identification number) if you don't already have one. When you apply for the Federal grants online, your PIN acts as your signature. You can receive one instantly online at the time you begin the FAFSA application.
Determine if you are eligible to file as an independent student. For the 2010-11 school year, you would be eligible to file this way in any of these situations: you were born prior to 1987, you are married, you are working on a post-bachelor's degree, you are on active duty in the military, you are a veteran of the military, you have children or other dependents you support financially. You can also be considered independent if your parents are deceased, if you've been in foster care, or if you have been emancipated. If you fit into any of these categories, you can file without having to submit your parents' financial information.
Begin the application. The early questions just collect your personal information, including date of birth, marital status, and contact details. You will also be asked about your plans for college, such as what type of degree you are pursuing.
Add your financial information. You will need to provide information from your most recent tax forms if you filed. For example, for the 2010-11 school year you would need to provide information from your 2009 tax papers. If you have not filed yet, you can provide estimates and update them later. If you are not going to file, you can select "Not Going to File." If you earned income or have assets, you will need to report those on the application in this section. You must also enter the current balance of your checking and savings accounts on the application.
Answer the questions about where you will be or may be attending college in the upcoming school year. The application will help you find the appropriate school codes. You will also need to select where you plan to live during the school year.
Complete the application by agreeing to the terms and by typing in your PIN as well as additional contact information. If you file as an independent student, your PIN is the only one needed on the form.