What information is required for filling out the FAFSA?

I'm planning to apply for financial aid and I know I need to fill out the FAFSA, but I'm not quite sure what information I'll need to gather beforehand. Can anyone provide a checklist or overview of the documents and details that I should have ready? I'm concerned about missing something important that could delay the process. Insights on how long it typically takes and any common mistakes to avoid would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help!

Here is a list of the information you'll need to gather before filling out the FAFSA:

1. Your Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number (if you're an eligible noncitizen).

2. Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money you earned.

3. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable).

4. Records of untaxed income (if applicable).

5. An FSA ID to sign electronically (You can create an FSA ID on the official website of the Federal Student Aid, if you don’t have one already.)

6. If you're a dependent student, then you'll also need most of the above information for your parent(s).

One common mistake to avoid: don't forget to list the schools you are considering, even if you haven't been admitted or applied yet. The schools you list on your FAFSA will automatically receive your financial information after you submit the form.

Here are steps to guide you through the process:

1. In the "Student Demographics" section, you'll provide personal information.

2. The "School Selection" section is where you'll add all the colleges you're considering.

3. You'll answer dependency status questions to determine if parental information is required.

4. lf necessary, provide your parent(s) demographics.

5. In the "Parent Financial Information" section, parents will enter their financial details.

6. You'll provide your financial information in the "Student Financial Information" section.

7. Sign and submit your FAFSA.

The entire process can take 1-3 hours to complete if you have all the information on hand. It's much quicker for returning students since the form pre-fills with the previous year's information.

Remember that the FAFSA is available on October 1 each year and preparation beforehand is key to completing it efficiently. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more queries.