Whether you're planning to attend your local community college or a private university 4,000 miles away from home, you'll need to complete the FAFSA application if you wish to receive any federal financial aid for your postsecondary education.
The FAFSA is the U.S. Department of Education's Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is one of the most important forms you'll fill out during your college career. You'll need to complete a FAFSA before you begin classes and fill out a renewal application for each subsequent academic year.

The FAFSA application is used to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your eligibility for the following programs:
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Stafford Loans
Federal PLUS Loans
Perkins Loans
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Federal Work Study

There are different state and federal deadlines for completion of the FAFSA application. However, since some programs have a limited amount of funding, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please see the U.S. Department of Education website for details.
Special Concerns

The FAFSA application generally considers college students to be financially dependent upon their parents. However, if you meet one or more of the following criteria, you can apply for aid as an independent student:
You will be at least 24 years old as of January 1 of the upcoming academic year.
You are married.
You have a child.
You are a graduate or professional student.
You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
You are an orphan or ward of the state.

Many students feel it is unfair they must include parental financial information if they won't be receiving any help with tuition and fees. However, since the FAFSA application is based on the belief that parents have a responsibility to contribute to their child's education, you are legally required to provide this information unless you meet the criteria to be considered an independent student or file a Dependency Override Appeal.

If your parents are divorced, you should provide the financial information for the parent you lived with for the majority of the previous year. If that parent is remarried, you must provide financial information for his/her new spouse as well.
FAFSA Application Tips

Although the FAFSA process can seem intimidating, it will be more manageable if you follow a few simple tips:
Remember to include the federal school codes for every college or university you are considering attending in the following academic year.
Use your previous year's income tax forms to ensure you have the correct information for your income, assets, and taxes paid. Providing false information may result in serious criminal penalties.
Use your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security card, and double check your Social Security number before mailing your application. If you are a dependent student, you must include one of your parents' Social Security numbers in addition to your own.