Despite what you might have heard, the process of applying for financial aid is a relatively easy one. In fact, with 1-2 hours work, you'll have accomplished 95% of what you need put yourself in the running for most student loans, grants, and scholarships.
The most important step, which also takes the most amount of time, is completing the FAFSA form online. But, all you need to do is fill out the FAFSA form once per year and you can apply at multiple schools with just a click of the mouse. In fact, after filing out the FAFSA form, most schools will take it from there, contacting you with your personalized financial aid package.
To apply for financial aid using the FAFSA form, you'll need to answer some questions about your (or your parents') financial situation, so you'll want to have your most recent year's tax return ready. Once you've got that, you can apply at www.fafsa.ed.gov or this view full-length tutorial on applying for financial aid to learn more.