Gather paperwork. To begin your application process, you will need your social security number, drivers license number, current income tax return, bank statements and, if applicable, any documents of investments.
Answer questions. The FAFSA website will ask you to answer page after page of personal, household and financial questions. Read each question carefully and give truthful answers.
Apply for PIN. On your intitial visit to the FAFSA site, you will be prompted to apply for a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Upon obtaining your PIN, write it down and store it in a safe place. You will use the same PIN to enable you to access your FAFSA account each school year.
Pay attention to deadlines. Before applying for aid on the FAFSA web site, visit the "Deadline" tab to ensure that you have ample time for your paperwork to be processed. This tab also has information regarding each state, as financial aid deadlines vary from state to state.
Correcting a mistake. If you have made a mistake when entering your FAFSA information, you will have to wait until your application had been processed before changing any incorrect information.