<p>DO we send in my parent's tax returns and W-2's?</p>
<p>From my experience, it depends on the school. My son applied to 9 schools last year and all had different requirements as to if they needed tax returns and W-2s as well as also requiring the CSS in addition to the FAFSA.</p>
<p>I believe you can wait until the school requests it...we have only had to send it to one school, they requested it after they received the FAFSA info. For peace of mind, check your schools' web sites - they usually spell everything out pretty clearly.</p>
<p>Some schools require the tax returns to process your finaid application. Others request it only if needed. Others only ask for it if you are chosen for verification. The only way to know what YOUR colleges require is to call their finaid offices and ask them. I have found that the websites for some are very clear and for others not so clear.</p>
<p>yeah, a lot weren't so clear. I just happened to notice because I was checking my app status on one of my schools and it said that the fin aid app is still incomplete. yeah, but thanks for all the help ctmom, thumper1, and peariceparent.</p>
<p>ok, so I can just wait until they tell me to send stuff?</p>
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<blockquote> <p>so I can just wait until they tell me to send stuff?>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Check and see what they want. If they want the "stuff" as part of the finaid application, you need to send it as part of the application, not when they tell you to send it (which may be too late).</p>
<p>Definitely check the requirements for each school you applied to. For some schools W2's & tax returns are required in their standard financial aid process, and have deadlines for them. Some schools, like NYU tell you not to send them at all, unless they advise you. The schools that you will definitely hear from are the ones who use IDOC. You'll receive a notice from the CollegeBoard telling you what is required.</p>