- 1). Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. These are available either online or in hard copy. Look for hard copies in public libraries and the financial aid office of your prospective school. The FAFSA requires you to report on your own earnings, as well as the earnings of your parents. Submit or send in your FAFSA form.
- 2). Look over your Student Aid Report (SAR). This report summarizes the data and results of your FAFSA. In addition to being sent to you, this report is also sent to any colleges and universities you name in your FAFSA.
- 3). Contact prospective schools for information on financial aid. Schools use the data from your SAR to determine how much aid you are eligible for, including scholarships, work study opportunities and grants. These are offered to you as a financial aid package.
- 4). Research outside scholarships. Businesses and organizations that are not affiliated with your school offer scholarships for students who apply, so investigate opportunities. For example, the company you work for may offer scholarships to employees going back to school. Opportunities like these are not guaranteed to offer aid based on need, but your need may help you be eligible for them.
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