<p>Little. If your college participates in IDOC, then you WERE asked for tax returns right from the beginning. IDOC requires these. If you completed a FAFSA, you also needed to use the IRS retrieval tool. Again…this isn’t a news flash as of the date of your IDOC instructions packet. </p>
<p>Your mom making a stand is going to prevent you from getting need based financial aid.</p>
<p>Why don’t you have her call the financial aid office at ONE school. Have her tell them “I’m not signing my tax forms when I submit to IDOC. Will this affect my student’s prospect of getting need based aid?” see what the college says. My guess is they will say…send a signed return, or we won’t process your aid. </p>
<p>Your mom is really putting you in a bind…a huge one. Where is your other parent on this issue? Are they both refusing to sign?</p>
<p>If so, create a list of community colleges you can afford to attend without any financial aid. Even the FAFSA will require your parents link to the IRS retrieval tool at some point.</p>