<p>I don't know if it's just me but I'm having some difficulty when it comes to filing this, and I really don't want to flub and get denied out of any aid, so it'd be much appreciated if I could get some help! So here it goes:</p>
<p>Enter the untaxed social security benefits your parents received or expect to receive for all family members except you, the student, in 2011. **WHERE DO I LOOK!? I HAVE ONE OTHER SIBLING BUT WHAT FORM DO I LOOK AT, OR SHOULD I JUST PUT ZERO?</p>
<p>Enter the amount of payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans your parents made or expect to make in 2011. **AGAIN, WHERE DO I LOOK, SHOULD I JUST GUESSTIMATE? </p>
<p>Enter the amount of cash your parents received and any money paid on their behalf (e.g., bills) in 2011. (Don't include child support or any other amounts reported elsewhere on this application.) **I JUST REALLY DON'T GET WHAT THIS MEANS LOL ): IS IT ASKING FOR THE AMOUNT THEY SPEND ON BILLS? </p>
<p>These are items that your parents should have the information to. All of those type (tax) questions are answered directly off the 1040. My H just did this year’s number’s on last year’s tax form as the CSS questions usually refer you to exactly which line to reference.</p>
<p>Your number 3 question does not ask how much they spent on bills. It asks how much somebody else spent on your parents behalf. Did someone buy them a plane ticket? Did someone else pay a bill for them? Generally the answer is going to be 0, but it does entirely depend on your financial situation. Ask your
parent(s).</p>
<p>Lol it doesn’t help that my parents are just as lost in this process as I am! It wouldn’t be too huge of a mistake if I put 0, would it? Would it harm me in anyway?</p>
<p>Your parents will know if they are receiving social security benefits or not. They will know if someone else has paid bills for them in this past year. They will know if they are putting money into a pension. Just ask them.</p>