<p>We are getting ready to start filling out the CSS Profile when it opens in October. I see on their site that a couple of the colleges where D is applying require the IDOC. This is a new one to me! I am trying to make sure I really understand what the IDOC is. Is it simply a service that Collegeboard provides to these colleges to collect the information/documents already required by the CSS Profile, or will it require additional information? Any cautions or advice about IDOC?</p>
<p>Lol… “IDOC” sounds very technologically advanced, doesn’t it? It is a process where you are given a checklist of the documents your colleges that participate in IDOC want, and you meticulously collect (and copy) each piece of paper they want. W-2s, tax returns for all parents, business tax returns, etc. There is some kind of verification worksheet for your kid to sign, too, I think (headache when kid is away at college!). You have to write SSNs on every page, and get the pages in the exact order. Then you mail them to a central address. I think they scan them and make them available to the colleges. You only do it once for all the IDOC colleges.</p>
<p>Here is a sample of an IDOC cover sheet (but don’t use this, use the 'real" one you get from signing into IDOC once you get notification with a link to the CollegeBoard login, this is an old one). You can see the types of instructions in the box on the form, too.</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.cmu.edu/finaid/docs/idoc-cover.pdf”>https://www.cmu.edu/finaid/docs/idoc-cover.pdf</a> </p>
<p>What you will find is a lot of variety in what colleges want, when they want it, and how they want it sent. We had schools that wanted things faxed, mailed directly, or sent through IDOC. The dates when they wanted things varied, and what tax forms and information they wanted varied as well. I ended up making a spreadsheet with each college down the side, and a column for each tax document and whether they wanted it, how they wanted it, and if it had been sent yet.</p>
<p>This is one reason I discourage students from applying to too many schools, especially if there is any complexity to their parents’ finances at all. It is a relief to go down to just ONE school for FA forms starting sophomore year!</p>
<p>Oh, and IDOC isn’t usually due until 1st quarter of the year. You generally need your taxes done to send it in… so I think we have done it in March. The schools do give a deadline – contact them if you can’t meet it, but do your best. That is one other thing that you really need to be on top of is getting all parent taxes and any small business taxes done ASAP (I have a small business, so know this is a headache!). Plan now for an early attack on your taxes to make all this easier.</p>
<p>Yes…IDOC is sort of a clearing house that some schools use to collect supporting income and asset documentation. The key is…send everything they request, and do it well within the deadline. You will be making copies of a LOT of things…so just be op prepared. These schools want to be absolutely sure that what you put on your financial aid application forms aligns with reality.</p>
<p>Do your taxes ASAP after February 1. This is NOT the year to delay filing your taxes or asking for any extensions. If this is an accountant or tax preparer scheduling issue, contact them NOW for a date the first week of February. </p>
<p>intparent…I, too, found it amusing because IDOC “sounds” technical…and it’s actually the most archaic system I’ve ever encountered in this day and age and so very thankful those days are over, even healthcare has managed to drag itself into this century - too bad College Board can’t seem to get there. OP read carefully - there is no FedX, no UPS, no overnight or street address required delivery…just a copy machine, a pen for writing SS numbers on everything and the US postal system, then human beings take all your financial information and “scan it” and store it heaven knows where to I presume turn it into electronic data…someone most people can do from the comfort of their own home. </p>