<p>Soooo USC is my dream school and because of that i'm doing whatever it takes to go there... My mother owned her own business until 2002 when it and our home was foreclosed on and since then she has been unemployed. She has held a few jobs but most of her income comes from helping out friends with odd jobs. In 2009 her W-2s added up to about 5,000 but her total tax return was around 10,000 dollars factoring in the side money. We submitted our taxes to USC on the 5th of april and then they asked for a Schedule C. This is something attached to the parents tax returns who receive outside income from something like my mother does (cleaning friends houses). So we turned that in last week but now USC is asking for a Business/Farm Supplement and Income and Expense Declaration. This I assume is because they think she owns her own business. But she doesn't. Sooo to my question, what do i do? I already am in the process of emailing them but as the may 1st deadline approaches im kinda gettin into some hot water.</p>
<p>i would call the FA office and explain your situation :)</p>
<p>Your mom does in fact, run her own business. Just because it is not a separate entity, it doesn’t matter. This is nothing to worry about, USC should still give you a crapload of money.</p>
<p>This is completely standard. USC wants to verify their loss of tens of thousands of dollars towards a worthy (in this case, a poor student’s) cause.</p>
<p>Getting a 1099 leads to filing a schedule C which leads to having to fill out a Business/Farm supplement. It is just more paperwork but since the ‘business’ has no assets and no value except for the money received for odd jobs, you will still get good financial aid. Just get right to work on filing out the form and FAX it in.</p>
<p>Agreed: it’s normal to ask for a biz/farm supplement for anyone who is self-employed, which your mom is. USC sees the income on the tax forms, but these other forms just give more detail on income and expenses. Don’t hesitate to call them if you have questions, but it should be pretty easy to complete the forms. Take it as a good sign: they’re paying attention to you! Good luck!</p>
<p>oh yeah… kinda forgot to mention that shes in virginia (we live in ny) visiting a friend who was just diagnosed with terminal cancer so shes not going to be in town till at least tuesday… irrelevant except for the fact that she can’t do the forms when shes out of town (and i’d do em myself but she has to sign them)</p>
<p>You can always FAX it to her to sign, then she can FAX it along to USC.</p>
<p>^^^ You haven’t learned how to forge your mom’s signature yet?</p>
<p>alamemom reporting in, but you already got great answers! :)</p>