FAFSA is a nightmare (also, where can I find fax cover sheets?)

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
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<p>I understand that a lot of people use estimates when filing the FAFSA, and my mom and I did just that when we filed it a few weeks ago. I also filled out the CSS/Profile but I haven’t sent that in yet. FAFSA sent me a message a few days later saying that the Social Security Administration couldn’t verify my citizenship status. So my mom went down to their office and brought proof of my US citizenship. They said that it was just a completely random mistake (wow, this would only happen to me) and that I actually am a citizen. However, FAFSA is still making me contact all of my school’s financial aid offices separately about the situation and to fax them the proper documentation. </p>

<p>I went on USC’s FA website to send the office an email and to find any forms there might be that I would need. I DID find a “citizen and eligible non-citizen verification” form but it didn’t come with a fax coversheet. I went on USConnect’s FA document system page and they had fax coversheets for every form EXCEPT this one… all of the coversheets are exactly the same except for the line where it says what type of document is being faxed, so I can’t just use a random one. Should I try to find one that is similar or something?</p>

<p>OH and my mom says it will be physically impossible for her to get the necessary W2 forms before the USC deadline… it’s okay to use estimates now and update AFTER the deadline, right? And will I have to pay more money to resubmit the CSS/Profile to USC if I fill it out initially using estimates?</p>

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<p>You can create your own cover sheets and FAX them. (We have done this several times with no problem.) Create a cover sheet that includes your name, USC ID#, the name of the document you are sending and the total number of pages being FAXed. Be sure your USC ID# appears on all pages. FAX to (213) 821-3717.</p>

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<p>Oh - missed the last part! YES, use estimates now for the FAFSA and CSS/Profile and update the FAFSA after you file taxes. We have never updated the CSS/Profile, USC seems to get everything they need from the updated FAFSA and copies of the tax returns.</p>

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<p>But it’s fine if you send the corrected FAFSA AFTER the deadline, right?</p>

<p>Thank you so much, alamemom. I’ve been on this board for almost a year now and you always answer everybody’s questions so well! :D</p>

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<p>Yes, it is fine to submit your corrections after the deadline.</p>

<p>Awwww :)</p>

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<p>:)</p>

<p>Oh, and, when you make your own cover sheets do you have to use the USC cover sheet ID or whatever is on the top of their cover sheets? Or does that not matter?</p>

<p>– EDIT:</p>

<p>Nevermind! I just realized every USC sheet has a different ID. XD</p>

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<p>FAFSA was so easy, especially since we just had to fill in 0 for all the income stuff.</p>

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<p>Yeah, same here. No assets or any of that stuff. It took about half an hour and we spent most of that time trying to figure out what the questions were asking. :P</p>

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<p>alamemom - just in case you read this (even though this thread was a while ago):</p>

<p>My mom and I were able to correct and resubmit the FAFSA with accurate tax info but we haven’t corrected the CSS/Profile yet. You mentioned that you have never had to correct the CSS/Profile but do you know how to? My mom’s original estimates were VERY off for some reason (with estimates my EFC was $5246 but it ended up dropping to $889) so I REALLY don’t want them to have the wrong information.</p>

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<p>Here is the answer I have seen in varying forms on the financial aid forum several times: (Originally posted by 'rentof2)

Hope this helps! (Ignore the specific dates and line items - basically it says to send the corrections directly to your schools rather than re-submitting the Profile.)</p>

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<p>Does anyone, perhaps current students and parents of students, know how the EFC factors into how much need-based aid is awarded?</p>

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<p>Hi greymatters! Here is LOTS of financial aid info: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid-2010-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid-2010-a.html&lt;/a&gt; If you can’t find your answer there, post a question on the thread.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, with all the “status” nonsense, any threads with actual information get pushed down where it is hard to find them.</p>

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<p>i called usc financial aid, yesterday wasnt the hard deadline for fafsa and cssprofile</p>

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<p>Yesterday, February 2nd, was the deadline for FAFSA and CSS/Profile. USC guarantees to meet 100% of need for applicants who meet all deadlines. That guarantee disappears if you miss the deadline.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, many students miss the deadlines. USC has been unbelieveably generous in the past by meeting the need of many students who have, for various reasons, missed the deadline. Last year one applicant did not file until late May and received a generous package. So if you have missed the deadline, get your forms in as quickly as possible.</p>

<p>But students who need financial aid to attend would be foolish to void their guarantee by missing the deadline. I wouldn’t.</p>

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<p>@alamemom Thanks for clearing some of my Q’s up. I just wanted to know how the FAFSA and CSS/Profile are being used to determine how much aid is awarded (i.e. FAFSA:federal aid :: CSS/Profile:USC aid). Thanks</p>

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<p>bump for blaw</p>

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<p>To dreamupside down:</p>

<p>Follow these directions: [USC</a> Financial Aid - My Financial Aid & Documents](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/my_fa/]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/my_fa/)</p>

<p>Just remember to click on Fax and not Electronically send. And don’t click on Download at that point. Instead hit Next Step and it will give you an area to click on Download/Print forms. Click on that and the Cover/Closing sheets will come up.</p>