You should start by applying for a FSA ID (a username and password) through the U.S. Department of Education. Then you will need to gather the documents needed to complete the FAFSA. Typically, these documents include your social security number or alien registration number, your federal income tax returns (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool), W-2s and other records of money earned, bank statements and records of investments (if applicable), records of untaxed income (if applicable), and an FSA ID to sign electronically. If you are a dependent student, you will also need most of the above information for your parent(s).