The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens on Oct. 1 each year and will tell you your options for federal student loans.
Fill out the FAFSA.
Prequalifying with private lenders lets you see your interest rate and terms without a hard credit pull.
Get prequalified with private lenders.
Once you've chosen a lender, you'll send in a formal application online, over the phone or in person. You'll need to provide income verification documents, and you'll go through a hard credit check.
Submit an application.
After being approved by a lender, you'll sign your loan documents to finalize the transaction. Your student loan funds will be sent directly to your school.