<p>I just finished filling out both the CSS and the Fafsa, but some of the colleges I applied too have emailed me about other forms such as some IDOC or other tax form. To be honest, I have no clue what these forms are. I asked my counselor and he said that once I finish the CSS and Fafsa, I'm done. Now I am confused, so are there any forms I am suppose to fill out?</p>
<p>I think IDOC is just a way of sending copies of your actual taxes to various schools who require them…I know we had at one for oldest D. I’m pretty sure that goes along with CSS.</p>
<p>Typically the schools want to see actual tax forms for the previous year (so they will want to see your parents’ 2012 individual tax forms, and likely business forms as well if they have a business). If you filed taxes, your forms probably have to be sent as well. Some schools also want to see W-2 forms, and one of my D2’s schools wants to see the last paystub of 2012.</p>
<p>IDOC is a system some schools use to send those documents to the school. You should be able to find a list of all the forms each school needs in the “how to apply for financial aid” portion of their website. The school may also send you extra mailings with detail on this (four of D2’s eight schools have sent us paper letters with a list of things to for the financial aid applicaton, and the rest have a lot of detail on their websites). We haven’t used IDOC yet, but two of D2’s schools require it. I am guessing you still probably have to scan or make a .pdf copy of the documents somehow (tax returns need to be signed even if they are filed electronically, hence a scan may be needed). Then IDOC helps you deliver those to whichever schools use the system.</p>
<p>All colleges do NOT use IDOC. So your parents may be faxing tax returns around as well (great joy, as some tax returns are very long). :(</p>
<p>You have to look closely at each colleges requirements for applying for fin aid. Princeton does not require profile, but they have their own special form to fill out. Penn uses fasfa, profile, and they also have their own form to fill out. </p>
<p>Each college has different requirements for which tax forms or w-2’s that have to be submitted. It can be very confusing if someone is applying to 10 schools.</p>
<p>Whatever each college requests. If selected for complete verification, you could be asked for proof of every single number reported on the form and some.</p>
<p>The IDOC is a second step after CSS (by collegeboard) only required by some schools. The IDOC is not available until February this year. Basically you will sign in with the same CSS passwords and follow the instructions (you will generate a cover sheet on the website - print it, add all your tax documents as the site instructs and mail to IDOC). IIRC IDOC will know which schools you sent the CSS Profile to and will send IDOC only to those on the your list that request the IDOC.</p>
<p>Make sure you check each colleges website. Some require their own forms and/or require that you send tax forms directly to them.</p>
<p>google IDOC college board and you will find the site.</p>