<p>Hi. I'm going over my CSS profile and I found certain questions that i didn't understand. Maybe someone help me clarify some things here before i make changes?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>In the part "PP-115E Worksheet": Social security benefits received for all family members except the student (untaxed portion only).. Does this include SSI benefits? </p></li>
<li><p>In the Expected income section: What is the difference between "Enter the amount of other taxable income and benefits your parents expect to receive in 2013." and "Enter the amount of untaxed income and benefits your parents expect to receive in 2013"?</p></li>
<li><p>I've noticed they asked me about "Earned Income Credit" for all 3 years. It should be the same amount every year right? The answer should be stated on my parents tax returns right? </p></li>
<li><p>At the end of each section, they asked for "All other untaxed income and benefits to be received" Does this include Food Stamps?? I didn't enter in any amount that my parents got for food stamps anywhere on this application. </p></li>
<li><p>Parents assets: Where can i find the information to "Enter the amount your parents have in their cash, savings, and checking accounts as of today"?</p></li>
<li><p>"What is your parents' monthly rental payment?" The amount i put down was the amount for just rent only.. I didn't include utility bills/ gas/ home/ TV and Cell phone. Do I include those too? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks if you can help! :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The EIC can vary each year based on the earned income of your parents. Yes, the answer will be on your parents’ tax returns.</p></li>
<li><p>Your parents should have monthly statements from savings and checking accounts or they can go online and look at their balances if they use online banking. The same for investments. Ask them how much cash they have in their wallet/purse and ask if they have any cash hidden under their mattress. :)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>@annoyingdad: Thanks! Even if my parents make so little money, they should have have some kind of bank statement right? So all the cash they found under their beds/ or whatever needs to be counted and then added to whatever is on their bank statement? Would it make sense to put 0?</p>
<p>Do your parents have a checking acount and savings accounts? It’s hard to live without at least having a checking account and having a few dollars cash. 0 would be unlikely and suspicious. Yes checking accounts and savings accounts generally have monthly statements, sometimes only available online if your parents signed up for that.</p>
<p>Oh. I guess i should go ask my parents for that. Do you know why colleges ask for these questions? I don’t even think I can count whatever is in my parents wallet and then add up with my parents checking and savings. I can try estimating the total amount right?</p>
<p>Okay i got 3 and 5 , thanks to @annoyingdad.</p>
<p>Can anyone help me with 1,2,4, and 6? =/</p>
<p>For #2 the answer is in the question. One part asks about “taxable” income (like from a part time job) while the other asks for “untaxed” income.</p>
<p>For #6 it is rent only. Don’t include the remainder.</p>
<p>I don’t have experience with profile so I’m not an expert. Does profile have help as you answer questions?</p>
<p>Here’s a link to a college board document that explains terms and has lots of questions and answers:</p>
<p><a href=“Financial Aid Services”>Financial Aid Services;
<p>For 2. look in the document for the definition of taxable and untaxed income. It gives examples of both. Since the first question says ‘other’ don’t include any expected taxable income that may have been already asked for in a previous question such as perhaps wages.</p>
<p>For 4. I searched the document for the word ‘stamp’ and the only reference I found is that if you said you were receiving food stamps, you may have to show proof.</p>
<p>For 1. I can’t find any mention of SSI. Is there a helpline number you can call?</p>
<p>For 6. I agree with Erin’s Dad.</p>