<p>The due date for parent and student tax returns is March 2nd [USC</a> Financial Aid - Applying & Receiving Financial Aid - Undergraduate - New Students](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/newstudents.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/newstudents.html) , or as soon as possible thereafter. USC will send out requests over the next week to all financial aid applicants who have not yet submitted them - so it isn’t just you :)</p>
<p>If at all possible, mention to your parents that this year, getting the taxes done as soon as possible would be very helpful. USC will not calculate your package until the tax returns have been faxed in, and it will take some time after they are received to complete the package. For some taxpayers, they simply cannot file until later - in that case, your aid won’t be negatively affected, but your package may be presented later than the others - generally financial aid packages are presented the first week of April.</p>
<p>The problem with the later package is that you will not have all the information you might need to make a decision about where you will attend school before the commitment deadline of May 1st, 2011. If that happens be sure to contact the schools you are still considering and ask for an extension (in writing) of your commitment deadline. USC will grant it if you have not received your package.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>