So Sunday is the Financial Aid Deadline (February 15), and your forms aren't in. Should you panic?
No!
First an update:
Over the last few days we've sent out several email correspondences about financial aid status, one email to all financial aid applicants who were listed as Early Admits and another to all applied domestic financial aid applicants. This letter (delivered to your email address provided in your admissions record) details forms received, forms missing, and how to complete those we have not received. If you are an international student applciant, we have not sent you a letter by email.
These letters were produced PRIOR TO the delivery of our first IDOC update, so any forms you sent through to the College Board will not yet be reflected on them. As of last night, we have begun receiving updates from IDOC so please check My.MIT (which we update nightly) to see if your information has been received.
But perhaps most importantly -- WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS THE DEADLINE?
The short answer is nothing... We do not have an arbitrary cut off date for financial aid eligibility at MIT. In fact, we continue to review Freshmen applications through the summer before the year begins, so it is not too late to begin applying for aid.
However, we do read applications in the order they complete, so the earlier you get your application in to us, the better the likelihood you will have your financial aid award with your admissions packet or by the time you need to make an enrollment decision (May 1).
So, should you panic if your information won't be in today? No... Should you be following up over the next several weeks to make sure what we need we have received? Yes...
I am now going to go back to my last entry and answer the backlog of questions there. Once I do that, I will close comments on that entry and invite you to continue adding your questions and concerns here. I'll try to get to them as best I can!
Two final notes:
Remember that Monday is a holiday (President's Day) so we will not be in the office (although some of us may be working anyway), so don't expect to reach us by phone or email that day!
Also we have been hit with a rather large backlog of email. If we do not reply immediately, please do NOT send another email. We will reply as soon as possible. If your issue is urgent, you can call us at our main phone number -- 617-253-4971.
Be well!!
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: Lovig (hopeful)'13 on February 13, 2009
Thanks In Advance.
Posted by: 0 on February 13, 2009
I just got my taxes together, and filled out my 1040, but haven't filed my taxes yet. Do I send a copy of the 1040 to the CollegeBoard, or is the federal tax return something the IRS sends back after I file my taxes? Is it okay my parents and I haven't sent in our taxes yet?
Posted by: Bridger '13 on February 13, 2009
If you do not plan on applying for financial aid, what do you do? Thanks in advance!
~Michael
Posted by: Michael on February 13, 2009
Posted by: 0 on February 13, 2009
YOU WRITE A CHECK
Posted by: 0 on February 13, 2009
Posted by: sepideh on February 13, 2009
Completely serious!
Posted by: Bridger '13 on February 13, 2009
Thank you for the information..!
@In-General
I don't know if anyone noticed but ever since the hack started creating controversies, the blogposts suddenly increased..!
[I hope this ain't offensive]
Posted by: Dhvanit on February 13, 2009
Posted by: 0 on February 13, 2009
Posted by: Lin² on February 13, 2009
I faxed my ISFAA along with Business Supplement application, but I didn't fax the tax returns yet.
So I will send the tax returns for my parents + tax returns for small business via courier.
My question is: Do I have to send in the ISFAA and Business Supplement application again in the same envelope?, or it's optional?
Thanks very much for your help =)
Posted by: Ahmed Hefnawi '13 on February 13, 2009
Posted by: Bridger '13 on February 13, 2009
Here are the answers to questions received so far on this post:
Lovig, I thought about calling this one "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Deadline" (A Dr. Strangelove reference), but decided against it. Glad to know I was able to relieve your stress...
anonymous, the Home Value/Debt documentation is required when your parents do not answer any questions about their housing situation (in other words, they do not answer if they pay rent or a mortgage and do not provide any home value or debt). It means we need an explanation of their living arrangements. Is housing provided by their employer? Are you living with relatives? Are you in militaty quarters?
Bridger, I understand. Not everyone has had this kind of exposure before...
Michael, if we sent you a missing information letter, you should contact us so we note you do note intend to apply for aid. Otherwise we will continue to send you application notices throughout the process.
sepideh, we need letters from your parent's/s' employer(s) in your original currency, but translated into English. You can see my more detailed answer to your question on the earlier post.
Dhvanit, controversies? I don't know anything about that! But I do know that this is usually the time things heat up for us in financial aid land...
Lin², you should contact our office on Tuesday and request a non-custodial waiver request form. This appeal form documents your circumstances and requests that we waive the information from your non-custodial parent. Once we review it, we will let you know our decision. In the meantime, send your custodial information in to IDOC.
Ahmed, no need to send them again. Once is fine!
OK, back to work! Enjoy the weekend!
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 13, 2009
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 13, 2009
I re-faxed the documents on 9th feb to the number you provided but yet no update on my tracking, mailed the Financial aid departmentbut as of now haven't got a reply.
Was going to mail again had i not seen your post (Thnaks for that, its rreally great hearing from MIT people)
Thanks well in advance
Posted by: Ruhban Shah on February 13, 2009
Thanks for the help!
Posted by: Alex '13? on February 14, 2009
Hi, and thanx for that update..
Just one question..
I have sent the International Student's FA App. and along with it I have also sent the Tax forms, Bank Statement, and the Employer's letter..
But from the MyMIT it read that u have recieved only the International Student's FA App. and the Tax forms...
Could u kindly enquire about the same. Thank You
Posted by: Mohit on February 14, 2009
It seems so difficult for me to fax all documents for FA application because it's night time here while in Massachusetts is daytime..
Thank You
Posted by: King Karl Seroje on February 14, 2009
just checked in and tracking says, "documents received"....thanks once again!
though i have already mailed those documents to your office also, to be on the safe side...
Posted by: SRV on February 14, 2009
I've been trying to fax my ISFAA for 1 week yet every single time i tried, post officers said the receiving fax machine(in MIT) gave signals at first then suddenly rejected the faxing process.
Does the time at which MIT financial aid office opens or closes have anything to do with that?
If that problem continues, can i send an email with attachments then forward the real material later?
u know, if i only send evry stuff by now, it will arrive too late to be considered.
Posted by: eins on February 14, 2009
Posted by: Marwan Q. Al-Gaadabi on February 14, 2009
I realize that you are very busy right now so I am very sorry for the large post. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions during this confusing time.
Posted by: Mohsin on February 14, 2009
Posted by: Sayan on February 14, 2009
they don't have any employers my father is a dentist, works in his own office and his income isn't something straight and guaranteed how much it will be every month, it has it's ups and downs. my father works together with my father as a technician.
Posted by: sepideh on February 14, 2009
I have to send my Parent's 2008 Foreign Income Tax Return but here in Mexico it is done around april, so we do not have a 2008 Income Tax Return yet. Should I send a 2007 Income Tax Return, or wait until april to send it?
Thanks a lot!
Posted by: David on February 14, 2009
Just to double check; Is it okay If I cannot maile my IDOC packet until February 17? My parents just filed their taxes on the twelfth, so their returns won't be available until tuesday.
Posted by: Madeline on February 14, 2009
Thanks!
Posted by: K on February 14, 2009
Thanks
Posted by: mvmcm on February 14, 2009
Posted by: shivank on February 15, 2009
I had posted my financial aid forms back on the 30th of January. They are supposed to take a time span of 15 days. So, is there a need for me to fax these documents or should a wait another week?
Thanks!
Posted by: Isra on February 15, 2009
We were really relieved to read your post after finally getting the FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE completed this weekend. Our tax returns are in the process of being completed and we knew that they would not make the 2/15/09 deadline. WE DID PANIC ... we thought that there is NO WAY we will make the DEADLINE!! It is very nice of you to put us at ease - and we will all will work to get everything to you ASAP. We also would like to know if we should send it to you via the IDOC form as the College Board asks us or directly to you? Please advise. Thanks again!
Posted by: William on February 16, 2009
Posted by: Joey on February 16, 2009
I had sent all the required forms to you by fax a week ago. But they still dont show up in my mit dashboard. have you recieved them? What should I do in caase you havent?
Posted by: Paul on February 16, 2009
I want to know that the application of Financial Aid for international student can be finished on line? Thank you!
Posted by: Shirley on February 16, 2009
I want to know that the application of Financial Aid for international students can be finished on line? Thank you!
Posted by: Shirley on February 16, 2009
Well things went a little cyclonic around MIT admission pages a few days ago.. Anyway, wish you the best with the Financial Aid proceedings..Hope it goes as smooth as you'd planned it..
Posted by: Dhvanit on February 16, 2009
I was wondering if I could fax or email my financial aid documents, especially considering that I live overseas and am having troubles mailing them to the university. I only need to send the International Student Financial Aid Application and a letter from my sponsor.
Thank you.
Posted by: OmarS on February 16, 2009
Thank you for the post. I just had some questions about the whole financial application process. I am not very familiar with this process, so I need some help.
First of all, where do I fax or mail the 2009-10 International Student Financial Aid Application form to? To MIT financial aid office or College board? the second question is, is there a way to fill the form out online? I wasn't able to find anything on the collegeboard website when I searched it, but maybe I just missed it. Thirdly, for my supplemental forms, such as my parent's asset statements from Korea, do I fax or mail them along with my ISFAA form?
and Lastly, for the father's signiture on the last page of the application form, I am unable to get my father's signiture on the paper, as he lives in Korea. How should I approach this problem?
Please let me know.
Thank you.
Posted by: Jcho on February 16, 2009
Thank you for the post. I just had some questions about the whole financial application process. I am not very familiar with this process, so I need some help.
First of all, where do I fax or mail the 2009-10 International Student Financial Aid Application form to? To MIT financial aid office or College board? the second question is, is there a way to fill the form out online? I wasn't able to find anything on the collegeboard website when I searched it, but maybe I just missed it. Thirdly, for my supplemental forms, such as my parent's asset statements from Korea, do I fax or mail them along with my ISFAA form?
and Lastly, for the father's signiture on the last page of the application form, I am unable to get my father's signiture on the paper, as he lives in Korea. How should I approach this problem?
Please let me know.
Thank you.
Posted by: Jcho on February 16, 2009
I submited my Financial Aid Application on the 14th, and I'm an international student. So how can I know whether you received it or not.
And also there's one thing stressing me out all these days. I had to scan the application because of the signatures. But I only scanned the last page. So it's not that clear compared to the 1st three pages. Would it be a problem? I'm scared to death that it would be.
Thank you.
Posted by: Pankaja on February 16, 2009
I submitted my Financial Aid application February 14th, but I'm confused on what information I must submit for the IDOC portion, is it the W-2s and 1040? Another question, for the noncustodial profile (a bit late) but is it a separate application altogether? Would I have to pay to submit that one as well?
Posted by: Lord Hamsworth on February 17, 2009
Posted by: mit hopeful on February 18, 2009
I'm having a bit of an issue with my non-custodial parent and I havent submitted the Non-custodial profile or IDOC because I am still waiting for their information. As of today, I'm getting the vibe that he isnt going to give me anything since after a month of phone calls, he isnt giving me copies of forms or giving me information to fill in for the online form because he claims that he doesnt have a W-2 form. Is there something to give in in place of the non-custodial form?
Posted by: Mel on February 18, 2009
I sent my international FA App. and employer statements on 11th Feb.
But MyMit account still shows that they haven't been received yet.
Do I need to wait further, or should I fax them??
Please help...
(Thanks in advance!!)
Posted by: Need Help on February 19, 2009
Posted by: Jason on February 19, 2009
Posted by: Kevin L. on February 27, 2009
I submitted my financial aid documents in early January (I am an international applicant), but the admission office told me that the translation of my parent's income tax form is not acceptable. So I translated it again (the first time I only translated the parts I deemed necessary for the determination of aid) and it was rejected again. Now I translated it a third time (absolutely evey single line, even ones that have no importance whatsoever) and the financial aid office still tells me that it is not acceptable. I have no clue what else I could try (there is obviously nothing more I could translate) to get it in order and complete the finaid application. The email correspondence with the finaid office was not really productive either as I mostly got oneliners as a response and nothing specific. Is there some way I can resolve the problems?
Best regards,
Benjamin Kiessling
Posted by: Benjamin Kiessling on March 6, 2009
Posted by: S on March 9, 2009
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