Go to the financial aid office and ask for help. I have found them to be extremely helpful making sure that all things are "checked off the list". If you haven't done the FAFSA, do it right away.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Also go to the school website for financial aid options. There should be a link to the Stafford Loan which is pretty easy to apply for. I've done this for both kids and it is pretty painless. They'll just ask you to sign a letter accepting the funds. Once this is done, you'll pretty much get it throughout your school terms.