Financial aid season kicks off with 1st day for applications

Let the race for financial aid begin.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, became available Monday. It's widely considered the most important document in securing money for higher education. Current and prospective students must fill it out annually to get loans, grants and other forms of federal student aid.

There are a few minor updates and details to know about this year:

HOW DO I FILL IT OUT?

You can fill out the FAFSA online at fafsa.ed.gov. For the first time this year, you can also complete it on your phone. The U.S. Department of Education has created a mobile-friendly version on its website or it can be filled out using its new myStudentAid app. If you prefer a paper copy, you can also download a PDF.