<p>Ok, these scholarship/loan processes are completely confusing me. Does anyone know when we have to send in our W2 forms and other tax forms? (Not even sure what a W2 is...) My mom is Asian, and she seems to be even more lost than I am... She hasn't filled out the 2005 forms yet. Does she have to in order to send them to the colleges? Thanks.</p>
<p>Wait until you're told to send them in. Not always necessary. If you're not sure, call the finaid office of the colleges.</p>
<p>Check each college's financial aid web site. Many will want the 2005 returns so encourage your mom to get started. Did you fill out FAFSA and the Profile if needed?</p>
<p>A W2 is a tax form that shows how much the employer paid the employee for the year (and all the deductions). Your mom should have already received her W2 or should be receiving it shortly as employers are required to send it out by 1/31.</p>
<p>Check the deadlines for the FAFSA and the PROFILE for each school that you applied to. If your mom has not completed her 2005 taxes yet, and the FAFSA and the PROFILE are due, go ahead and use estimates. Encourage your mom to complete her 2005 taxes ASAP as you will need to use the correct figures to update your FAFSA and PROFILE.</p>
<p>If you check your colleges' websites, they will tell you what additional paperwork they need. For my son, almost all the private colleges he applied to needed a copy of our 2005 taxes and copies of our W2s. These were not due at the same time as the FAFSA and the PROFILE.</p>
<p>It IS confusing, but if you need financial aid, it is in your best interest to understand what each school wants and to meet the deadlines.</p>
<p>Hope that helps. Good luck.</p>
<p>Ah!! Thanks for all the clarification. I did fill out the CSS and FAFSA with estimates and now I'm going to hound my mom to fill out her 2005 tax form then.. ^^; I guess its back to stalking college websites for the w2 forms then..</p>