<p>Alright, here's my situation. My mother just received her W2s, and because we can't afford to pay one of those tax places to do it at the moment, we're having my aunt fill out the tax forms, and she wasn't able to finish them this past weekend because her husband was ill. I can't make heads nor tails of the stupid FAFSA form, so I need to work with the financial aid assistant at my school who's only there on Monday, and seeing as I obviously didn't do it today, it has to wait another week.</p>
<p>I will have my FAFSA filed next Monday, but my school's priority deadline (Ithaca College) was February 1st. I called them and they just told me to get the form in as soon as possible, but I'm really freaked out because I'm terrified that by waiting I'll get less financial aid. I realize that stuff like tap and pell will stay the same, but are there other possible grants and such that will be hurt by this delay, particularly grants from the school?</p>
<p>By the way, I was not able to submit an estimated form because for one, my mother did not file her taxes last year (because she's very irresponsible about this stuff), and aside from that, she got a new job a couple months ago so her income for the last couple months has been significantly higher. (By the way, there's no dad in this picture, income wise). </p>
<p>I really hope somebody can relieve my fears at least a bit. I've been in tears all weekend because this entire situation is completely out of my hands and I don't know what to do other than wait for other people to get their crap together. </p>
<p>By the way, my EFC is 0 according to online calculators, and considering that Ithaca is 42k a year, even with 16-18k in merit scholarships I'm completely f-ed without this money.</p>
<p>I think you should explain everything you wrote in your post to the school. They will be able to tell you if you will be missing out on certain grants or scholarships due to filing after the priority deadline.</p>
<p>I was freaking out a couple of weeks ago when I realized Reed's financial aid deadline had passed. They expected both the CSS and FAFSA submitted, plus their own financial aid form all filled out by January 15. I didn't realize any of this stuff was due until Jan 23. I emailed their financial aid office asking them what I should do, and they told me I would be fine as long as I submit everything ASAP. They also said any student who submits after Jan 31 will not be considered for institutional aid. Luckily, I submitted everything ~Jan 25.</p>
<p>HyperJulie, First of all take a deep breath. If you have internet access at home, why not use turbotax. It's free to efile if your mom's income is under 50000 and it walks you through step by step. If you can do that then maybe some of the people here who just finished the fafsa can help you through. I just finished for 3 of my kids this weekend.Make sure that you have already received your pin and a pin for your parent so you can electronically sign fafsa and it doesn't get delayed for that reason. If your Mom only has w2 doing taxes on turbotax for free is a breeze. I will also say a prayer for you. Its hard on a kid if the parents can't help.</p>
<p>My aunt filed our taxes electronically for us over SOMETHING, but I'm not sure what it was, and whatever it was she didn't get a sheet from it. My aunt is really computer/financially savvy, so I don't understand why I wouldn't be getting some sort of print sheet at least, but I don't know. I don't understand it.</p>
<p>My guidance counselor said that as long as I got my stuff in within the week or so I should be fine regardless, and I intend to do that, so I guess I should be fine. I called Ithaca and the only rammification that they told me, albeit I did not ask about the specific grants, is that I would receive my financial aid package later. </p>
<p>Now, I have no idea how to do the FAFSA with only the W2. My aunt and brother have both insisted I can do it, but I don't know what all the different kinds of "income" are and what numbers to use. </p>
<p>I've been practically living in the guidance office at my school, but nobody knows how to help me and I'm so lost. </p>
<p>By the way, I already got the pin numbers. I got those a while ago, plus I ordered copies of the FAFSA online and did everything else the financial aid lady told me to do. I just can't get the stupid tax form to do it, and although we've filed, apparently we don't get any sort of sheet.</p>
<p>Do you know if with online tax programs if they send you some sort of sheet in the mail or something after you send in your signature sheet, or did my aunt miss some screen she was able to print?</p>
<p>I used TurboTax to file my own taxes and the end, they let me view a PDF of my completed 1040EZ. I was able to save that PDF onto my computer and also print myself a copy.</p>
<p>Any community colleges or state universities you can easily get to? At some of these, they have financial aid offices with employees or volunteers that help fill out fafsa. Not all require that you have an application completed for their school before they will offer assisstance. Maybe you could call and check.</p>
<p>If you have any friends who have similar financial situation to yours, I bet if you asked their parents, they would help you fill out FAFSA.</p>
<p>Oh, and if she filed income tax electronically using one of the services, she should be able to access that account and see what's on there.</p>
<p>Listen to the advice you've been given! Have your mom get her papers in order and file using Turbotax. She can probably file last year and this year in one sitting if her income consists primarily of W-2 income. If she doesn't itemize deductions, it will likely take less than one hour. You can even help her! Waiting and worrying is pointless and she'll dig herself into a tax problem!</p>
<p>HyperJulie, Your aunt should have received a copy of the taxes done online. Maybe she doesn't have a printer. Did she use a password and user name. Usually you can go back in and print it out later if she can give you that info. Since you are suppose to keep your tax records for a minimum of 3 years, I am sure that there is a way to get a printout.</p>
<p>There must be, but she insists there's no paper, and now it's out of my hands because she can't file again. My older brother is helping me to fill out a 1040 with just the W2 information because we don't claim itemized deductions, but I'm still confused, stuck, and he hasn't answered my message yet.</p>
<p>My mom WILL NOT file her taxes herself. I don't know why, it's really frustrating, but she won't do it. Plus my aunt already did it but we're waiting on a signature sheet...</p>
<p>I'm so afraid my family is going to screw me over with all of this. I'm so confused and I'm about ready to cry again. I don't know what to do with everything out of my hands and NOBODY ANSWERING MY EMAILS AND MESSAGES.</p>
<p>Maybe you can talk to the financial aid officer at your college and tell her what trouble you have run into, because she would be the expert, not the gc of your school (although I know she is trying to help). The financial aid office has probably seen every situation you can think of and more. Also you might could call the number to get help from fafsa from the website, and tell them the particulars. I might not mention that your mom did not do taxes last year. Your call there.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input, but I think the crisis is solved. My older brother knows how to file this stuff even with my mom's horrible tax practices. I got a hold of him and he helped me through where I was stuck. Unfortunately, I got stuck one last time, but I just need him to walk me through a few quick steps on the 1040 to figure out one more number, and I should hopefully be set to send it in TONIGHT. </p>
<p>I feel so much better now: no more tears, no more panic attacks, etc. </p>
<p>Also, for reference, when I did the form online, it gave me the option of completely skipping the entire financial section after my mother's income, I assume because it's so low it doesn't really make much of a difference. We have absolutely no assets and our bank balance is negligible. I'm still doing it anyway though because it says some schools require it, and I'm not up to risking that for any of my schools.</p>
<p>I am happy for you. Let us know how your financial packet works out. I try to remind my 4 as I hover over them sometimes too much, that there are kids out there who would love to walk a day in their shoes. Of course I got "oh mom". Keep pushing ahead. I think great opportunities are ahead for you. Remember there are all kinds of people who will help the kids that they see trying really hard. Good luck with college.</p>
<p>I also got ahold of my aunt, and she apparently told me there was a printout, but she couldn't get it until after the taxes were confirmed. That was a communication error on my part.</p>
<p>I'll be finishing my FAFSA tonight with the W2s and then once my aunt mails the tax form, I'll update it with the accurate information. I'm SO relieved right now, I can't even express it.</p>
<p>Glad you got it all sorted out hyperjulie. I am always amazed and in awe of young students like you who have to go through so much of this process on their own and manage to do so. It is not that easy for a lot of adults. You sound like a very determined, persistent and enterprising young woman which will stand you in good stead in life. Good luck.</p>
<p>Haha. I did hyperventilate a couple nights ago, but now I'm not hyper-anything so I feel much better, thank you. :)</p>
<p>And thanks, swimcatsmom, though I wouldn't say I got through it on my own. I got my brother to help me, though I wanted to avoid doing that because he just was put on academic probation and I didn't want to have to make him deal with college stuff right now. :/</p>
<p>You may have helped your brother feel successful by taking his mind off his situation and helping you with yours. Just make sure he know how much you appreciate him. Anyway again am glad it worked out for you.</p>