1. Gather your personal information.
You will need to provide your social security number, date of birth, and other personal information on the FAFSA form.
2. Estimate your family contribution.
To estimate your family contribution, you will need to gather information about your parents' income and assets. This can be done by using the Federal Methodology Worksheet on the FAFSA website.
3. Collect financial aid documents.
You will need to provide documentation such as tax returns and bank statements to verify the information on your FAFSA form.
4. Fill out the FAFSA form.
The FAFSA form can be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to include all required information, including your Social Security number, to ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible.
5. Submit the FAFSA form.
Be sure to submit your application by the deadline in order to be considered for financial aid.
6. Check your financial aid status.
You can check the status of your financial aid application by logging in to your account on the FAFSA website. Once your application has been processed, you will be able to see a list of the types and amounts of aid that you have been awarded.
7. Accept or decline your financial aid offer.
Once you have received your financial aid award, you will need to decide whether to accept or decline the offer. If you accept the offer, be sure to follow through on the requirements, such as enrolling in classes and completing loan paperwork.
8. Finalize your financial aid award.
If you accept your financial aid award, there may be additional steps that need to be completed in order to finalize the award, such as signing promissory notes or loan agreements. Be sure to read all related materials carefully and contact your school's financial aid office if you have any questions.