USC Financial aid

Paying for College
1

Hello!
I submitted the CSS/ FAFSA by the deadline (I think), (though they may have been requesting info and I may have not submitted it by the deadline) but USC (University of Southern California) has been constantly requesting new information - I mean like I will submit a document requested, and then 2 days later a new document is requested (this has happened 3 times over the past week!!!) My question is how will the fact that this is happening so late after the deadline impact the amount of aid I will receive? Because USC says on its website that it meets full need … given that everything is submitted on time; so would they consider what’s happening now as late submissions?

2

When a school says it “meets full need”, it means that it meets what they think you need. Not what you think you need. Did you fill out the NPC?

3

Did you submit everything USC asked for when you applied?

Were you selected for verification?

Did you link to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on your FAFSA, and if not…did you send tax transcript for those who filed?

Did someone NOT work at all in 2016, or not file taxes? If so, did you complete a non-filers statement?

What are they asking for?

Did you do ALL of these things prior to February 13?

https://financialaid.usc.edu/undergraduates/prospective/applying.html

4

@“aunt bea” I understand that. However, that is not really what I was asking … essentially, my question is how likely is USC to give me less fin aid because of how late we are in the application cycle, ignoring all other factors?

5

@thumper1

  1. Yes, I believe I did.
  2. I was selected for verification.
  3. I did link IRS retrieval to FAFSA.
  4. I did not work, and I did complete the non-filers statement (though after the deadline; I probably missed the email asking for more info)
  5. Righte now they are asking for K-1’s and documentation of eldercare expenses (the second one was already submitted, and the first we dont have on hand)
  6. I’m not exactly sure what you mean; CSS and FAFSA were submitted on time, but the verification business was not because I was unaware of it.
6

If you were on time in the first place, I really don’t think they will hold it against you if the back and forth after that takes longer. They probably just go by the numbers on the forms they get from each person. It’s not like they stop giving out aid on April 12.

7

[quoye]I’m not exactly sure what you mean; CSS and FAFSA were submitted on time, but the verification business was not because I was unaware of it.

[/quote]

When did USC request the verification documentation? Why didn’t you know about it?

Where is your family K-1? I believe this means your family is self employed or owns a business, right? The school needs your K1 ASAP…so it would be good to get that to them. They are likely going to be looking at the business expenses…some of which might be allowed by the IRS as deductions…but not financial aid.

8

@thumper1 I’m not sure of the exact date they requested verification, but I’m pretty sure it was after their official deadline for submitting fin aid. I missed the email regarding the verification documentation ( found it a good couple weeks later, after I learned of my admission), so thats why I didn’t know.
I should have access to the K-1 soon; I believe it is actually for the farm my dad grew up on and is a part owner in; he doesn’t have it now (has to get it from his family who keep all the tax info) but I should have it today.
they’ve already requested the 1065, farm supplement, fed tax returns, non-tax filer statement, dental/medical cost documentation, eldercare expenses documentation, so hopefully they wont come up with anything else.

9

Here is my personal best guess. Your aid won’t be reduced because of the deadline miss…although really in the future…don’t miss deadlines.

BUT if your family has any even partial ownership of a farm, this will be considered an asset…and that asset value could very well reduce your financial need.

Just get the info to them ASAP if you plan to have a decision by the last day of April…which you probably want to make your matriculation decision.

Did any other of your acceptances request this information? Check and see…

10

@thumper1 they did, but not half as much as USC :smiley: which is really unfortunate given SC is my top choice. I’m working on getting everything together ASAP (Today). Thank you so much for all the help.