Today marks registration day: the day when MIT turns technology on its head! Students meet one-on-one with advisors to plan out courses for the next term and to discuss their academic progress. I actually like this definitively low-tech approach to registration; it means you have a chance to reconnect with your advisor (last semester I didn't feel like I spent nearly enough time with my advisees) and it gives the campus a chance to wind-up for a day before classes officially kick-off.
Speaking of winding-up, some exciting news:
The financial aid application portlet on My.Mit is live. You can track whether or not we have received your financial aid application materials by logging into the My.Mit portal and viewing the portlet. Also you can link to the websites of any missing financial aid documentation and complete it as necessary. At this point, we remain about three days behind in processing mail received so if you have sent your materials in the past week, please be patient with us.
Any questions about the FAFSA, PROFILE or ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application)? Remember that our priority deadline for Freshmen is February 15th, so please be sure to get working on whatever financial aid materials we are missing!
Also please note that if you have not completed your 2008 tax returns, we need a copy of your 2007 returns in order to consider your application for financial aid compelte. You can mail the 2007 form to our office directly (Building 11-320). If you have your 2008 form ready and you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident you can submit your forms via the College Board's IDOC service when it launches later this month.
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: Aditya on February 2, 2009
I'm a 23 years old Israeli. I already sent in my aid application, and I hope it'll be understood properly... I haven't lived with my parents since I was 19, and I haven't depended on them financially since I was 20, so I tried to fill it all out as accurately as I could.
I did want to ask some small questions, though:
1) Is the whole "if your parents' income is less than $75,000, your parent contribution amount is 0" thing true? For international applicants too?
2) If my parents own an apartment, but are unable to mortgage it because banks here don't give mortgages to people over a certain age, how is the apartment treated when calculating the parent contribution?
3) Does MIT have a student loan program for international applicants which doesn't require a U.S citizen as a co-signer?
Thanks!
Posted by: Michelle from Israel on February 2, 2009
thanks 4 d info. its really helpful
Posted by: HST on February 2, 2009
I had faxed my financial aid application alongwith my parents pay statement as provided by their employers on the 22nd of jan at around 9:30 EST.
However its not showing up on MyMIT portal-Should i resend the materials
Also my parents are not liable for income tax as per the norms of my country so i cannot send in the income tax return.
Please advise me on the steps i need to take
Thanks well in advance
Posted by: Ruhban Shah on February 2, 2009
I'm an international applicant(Egypt). We don't have tax returns as in the U.S.
Do I only need to send the ISFAA and a statement(original and translated version) from employer as a proof for the annual income of the family?
Is February 15th a receiving date?
Thanks!!
Posted by: Hazem on February 2, 2009
Can I apply for aid during my second year?
Hazem,
I'm from Egypt too. . .which school do you go to?
Posted by: Abdel-karim on February 2, 2009
Our family has extensive medical expenses not covered by insurance. Does MIT require a letter of special circumstances or will the CSS Profile be sufficient to convey this expense?
Thank you.
Posted by: hockeymom on February 2, 2009
Michelle, unless you specifically appeal to be considered independent, and that appeal is approved, we will still consider you to be a dependent student and will request parental information. Remember that dependency is not related to whether or not you are self-sufficient. For MIT, our definition of an independent student is one where there are no parents to rely upon for information (in cases of deceased parents or abuse or neglect). The bar is set pretty high, so we do not generally allow students to be considered independant.
The $75,000 free tuition guarantee is that if a family has a total income (taxable and non-taxable sources) of $75,000 or less and typical assets, MIT will ensure that the tuition for the student is covered by grant. More information is on our web page for financial aid.
As for the treatment of the apartment, you will need to explain that the equity is not accessible due to the economic situation in your country. Generally we would include the equity as part of your contribution, but not at the same level as we would income or other assets.
Out Tech Loan is available for International students and while amounts over $3000 require a co-signer, the co-signer can be from your home country.
Ruhban, where did you fax the materials? If it went to the financial aid number then I would resend them. Our fax is 617-253-9859 (but don't tell everyone... as we don't generally release our fax number on the internet... SMILES).
Hazem, yes send in the ISFAA and a statement from the employer since no tax form is filed for you.
Abdel-karim, it is not too late to apply. We reconsider each student each year so if you need to apply for financial aid this year, that is fine!
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 2, 2009
Posted by: sepideh on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 2, 2009
sepideh if you do not need financial aid then you do not have to apply!
(and if you change your mind later that is fine too!).
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Abdel-karim on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Dhvanit on February 2, 2009
sorry for asking again.. February 15th is a receiving date. Right?
Thanks for your help!!
@ Abdel-karim:
I attend the German School in Dokki(DEO). What's ur school?
Posted by: 0 on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Hazem on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Abdel-karim on February 2, 2009
Thanks ! Best of luck for you too!!
Posted by: Hazem on February 2, 2009
Posted by: A Parent on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Parent '13 on February 2, 2009
I'm currently a Canadian citizen studying in the US. I'm here on an H4 visa and have just received my social security number but the green card is still pending.
1. Can I apply for the FAFSA?
2. Should I update MIT on my SSN#?
3. Is MIT need blind towards Canadian/international students?
4. If I don't apply for financial aid my freshman year, can I apply for financial aid my sophomore year (Would the outcome be any different if I got my green card in the middle of my freshman year) ?
Much Appreciated,
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin on February 2, 2009
Abdel, as an international student you will have to do a Certification of Finances to show that you and your family have enough money to pay for MIT. Financial Aid received can be part of this documentation. If you feel your family has enough for the coming year, then hold off. If you think you may need assistance, then apply. We ARE need-blind for international students so your answer about financial aid will have no bearing on your chances of being admitted.
We do accept faxes, although with the quality of transmission (especially internationally) we prefer copies mailed in to us.
February 15th is a preferred receipt date. We do process financial aid on a continual basis, so make every effort to get the forms in, but if they are delayed, we understand.
Non-Freshmen can check their status on WEBSIS (https://student.mit.edu) or can come by our office to see if their documents are received. In addition to the FAFSA and Profile we will need tax documentation when it is available (sent to us via IDOC). Returning student deadlines are April 15th.
Kevin, since you are not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, you must apply using the International Student Financial Aid application. We are need-blind for all International students, but since there is a limit on the number of international students we admit, your chances are better if you are a US Citizen. Our financial aid will be approximately the same whether you have the green card or not, although you will qualify for Federal funds as a domestic student which you would not applying as an International student.
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Dylan V on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Julia '13 on February 2, 2009
I'm from Costa Rica. I'm currently applying for financial aid at MIT. When I sent my ISFAA, I also sent along Bank statements and CPA Income Statements for both my parents. Even with such complimentary documentation, is it necessary for me to send the Tax Returns?
Thanks.
Posted by: Oscar V. '13 on February 2, 2009
I am a US Citizen, but my parents and i don't live in the US or file US tax forms, should their 2008 foriegn tax forms be sent through the IDOC? or directly to MIT?
thank you!
Posted by: Kimberly on February 2, 2009
Thanks for the quick reply!
Posted by: Kevin on February 2, 2009
I am from Bolivia in South America. In my country we do not have such thing as an annual income tax statement.
In my financial aid application, this document is missing. Should I send an official notary statement explaining that the annual income tax statement does not exist in my country?
thank you for your time!
Valeria
Posted by: Valeria on February 2, 2009
we all know about the ongoing financial crisis, how much is this affecting MIT's finances?? And also does U.S. government provide a good share of funds for MIT??
Posted by: varun on February 2, 2009
Corey
Posted by: corey on February 3, 2009
As about the fax-can it be done any time or is it neccesarry to get it done in day time EST
Posted by: Ruhban Shah on February 3, 2009
Posted by: 0 on February 3, 2009
Posted by: Ruhban Shah on February 3, 2009
Posted by: anton on February 3, 2009
does anything happen if for personal reasons I dont file a FAFSA or CSS, even if i said I would in my application?? (besides from paying FULL tuition)
Posted by: 0 on February 3, 2009
Posted by: 0 on February 3, 2009
I am a citizen and resident of Afghanistan. My parents are not employed and do not have any income; they have been so since 2003. Two of their adult children support them(and their dependants) financially.
You have received my ISFAA, which had a letter of explanation attached to it. I had also sent a copy of my sibling's--primary financial supporter of the family--bank statement(just in case), and of some land ownership/purchase documents.
Now, my myMIT account says that I have to send my parents' 2008 tax returns! But my parents do not file taxes and they, like any other Afghan, have/will never receive any tax return. Given my special case/circumstance, what do you suggest I do?
Thanks.
Posted by: AbdulHamidAziz on February 3, 2009
L = If parents have not already done so, they must send the school or program a signed copy of their 2007 U.S. income tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ). Clearly print the student's name and college or program assigned Student ID (if the student has one, or Social Security Number if he or she does not) on all pages of the copy.
Do we mail this directly to MIT Financial Aid?
Posted by: Parent on February 3, 2009
Good morning. I just had a conversation with my dad and he said he'll pay for the four years. Now, when do you usually require this certificate, before or after the acceptance? I hope you have a good day.
I have no idea how you can handle all these questions :D.
Posted by: Abdel-karim on February 3, 2009
Julia, we only receive 2008 tax information from US Citizens and Permanent Residents through IDOC. For a longer description of the IDOC service, see here. As a short description, IDOC is the service we use (along with many other colleges) to make submission of tax information easier. You should be receiving an email from the College Board shortly (if you completed a PROFILE) explaining how to submit these documents. Student tax returns are not required (unless you are selected for Quality Assurance review) but we will review them if received.
Oscar, we need something from an independent third party clarifying family income. Therefore, a letter from employers or a copy of a national tax return is required (translated into English).
Kimberly, US Citizens submit 2008 information through IDOC, regardless of whether the information is a US Tax Return or a Foreign one.
Valeria, then we need to have a statement from your parents' employer(s) -- original and translated into English.
Varun, good questions. We do not anticipate any changes to our committment to funding students at MIT. In fact, it is safe to say that if MIT tuition goes up, our financial aid will go up as well since we do meet the full financial need of every applicant. This will not change. As for Federal money, it is a very small share of what we award to students, and the money we do award is not at risk of being removed for the coming year (Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG Grants, etc).
Corey, nope. File your FAFSA and Profile and send us 2007 information. Once the 2008 information is completed, send it to us via IDOC. Your award will be based on your estimate and it is likely to change once the real tax form comes in, but feel free to do your best job estimating the amounts.
Ruhban, thanks for keeping the fax confidential! I appreciate it! So, any time in the day is fine... And the fax number you sent it to is Admissions! Sometimes they hold our mail for a week or so (or longer) before they give is to us, so I am sure it is coming, but be patient (or send us another copy).
Anton, thanks for catching this. We will fix it!
Anonymous, we will be contacting you regularly to encourage you to complete your forms, but otherwise, there is no change. If you want me email me (moneyman) I can change your application status to no so that we will not be sending you Missing Information Letters.
Abdul, let me look into it and we will work to correct our records. Thanks for letting us know!
Parent, yes send us your 2007 forms directly UNLESS you have already completed your 2008 forms and can send them to IDOC in the coming week or so.
Abdel, I don't sleep!!! We only need the certificate of finances after/if you are admitted. Again, if you do change your mind we will take a financial aid application from you in later years.
I think I am caught up... Phew!
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 3, 2009
N yeah thanks-Patience is a virtue which i do possess but in cases related to MIT, i tend to loose it a lot--So if for nothing else-I will send it again so as to suffice my thirst to do something about MIT.
Being a philospher am quite sure you understand just the feel am talking bout.
Posted by: Ruhban Shah on February 3, 2009
Posted by: varun on February 3, 2009
In the ISFAA, for the question regarding investments do we have to include money spentin life insurance policies.
Also my father works for the government, and he is provided with monthly salary statements.Will that do?
My mother runs a small business, should I include that under family business also?
And should I fax the documents or send them via courier?
Posted by: mayukh on February 3, 2009
My family's financial situation has changed since last year, but my FAFSA and Profile indicate that I will not be eligible to receive aid. I already sent these documents, but my family's primary financial provider has been informed that his salary will be reduced this year and must commute from another state (therefore, he needs to pay for an apartment and plane fare to and from home, in addition to other expenses). Will MIT take into consideration these new developments if I have a financial aid meeting at CPW?
Posted by: Liz on February 3, 2009
In Canada, we do not have signed copies of our income tax returns. However, when we file our income tax returns, the Canada Revenue Agency will send us a "notice of assessment." Would this statement be acceptable as documentation of income and asset information?
Posted by: mhyee on February 3, 2009
As for submitting 2008 tax documents via IDOC-- does this need to happen by the MIT deadline of February 15th or the CollegeBoard deadline of March 2nd? I'm guessing the former, and my family and I will do our best to submit our forms by then.
Posted by: Dylan V on February 3, 2009
Posted by: Mark on February 3, 2009
Posted by: Dylan V on February 3, 2009
Posted by: Mark on February 3, 2009
Posted by: dilma on February 3, 2009
Liz, if you provide us a letter explaining the circumstances and providing us back-up information (i.e. how much is your father paying in monthly rent, commuting costs, and transportation) we may be able to make an adjustment before we send any award. Otherwise, once you receive a financial aid award letter you can call us to discuss it -- no need to wait until CPW.
myhee, we accept a copy of the T4 not the transcript from the government. We would prefer the copy of the actual T4 submitted, one for each parent.
Dylan, don't stress if you can't make Feb 15 (same to you Mark!). It is a priority deadline, not an absolute deadline, so this means that we give priority in reading applicatons to those who complete on time, but we ultimately read everyone anyway!
Mark, the CSS Form is called the Profile and it is a requirement at many private colleges. Go to our web page for more information!
dilma, contact our office tomorrow (by phone or email) and request a copy of the Non-Custodial Waiver Request form. We will review this as an appeal and let you know our decision. As for the tax form, if it is 2007 you can send it to us (regular mail is fine); if it is 2008, please send it to IDOC.
Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on February 3, 2009
Posted by: wlue on February 3, 2009
Posted by: Geetanjali on February 4, 2009
Posted by: MOHIT SINDHU on February 4, 2009
My financial aid tracker says that the Business/Farm Supplement is required of me. Possibly, this is because I mentioned 'self-employed' under the 'father's employer' column of the ISFAA. However, my father is a civil engineer and is a consultant for various building and developers companies strictly on a job-to-job basis. There's no business, no farm, and nothing else that I can possibly mention in the business farm supplement either. What should I do? (Can this be removed from my requirements?)
Posted by: Gaurav on February 4, 2009
Posted by: sepideh on February 4, 2009
Posted by: Parent '13 on February 4, 2009
Posted by: Olisa on February 5, 2009
Posted by: Olisa on February 5, 2009
Is it true that the financial aid application is first-come-first-serve basis?
I mean, does the date of application affects the application for fin aid?
Thank you sir.
God Bless!
Posted by: King Karl on February 5, 2009
I got a score of 108 out of 120 in Toefl(ibt).Is it good enough for getting admitted as a transfer student in MIT?
Posted by: AK on February 5, 2009
You are not Admitted by one exam
a seasoned committee of experts review whatever you have laid down to speak for you.
sometimes we do not know that when qe are rejected, it is for our own good because your lifestyle as indicated might not fit in.
so everything is considered especially consisitent things.
God bless
Posted by: Olisa on February 5, 2009
My mom has had custody of me since I was born, and neither of us know where my father is. Can I just leave everything regarding my father blank?
Also (and slightly more urgent), my mom receives Supplemental Security Income and is unemployed. She does not fill out Tax Returns (so we don't have one from 2007 or 2008). How will this affect my finaid?
Posted by: Steph on February 5, 2009
I'm a freshman applicant from India, people here are scaring me about scholarships being held due to recession and stuf like that. Will the past economic crisis compromise MIT scholorships? Can I expect it to go with last years stats?
Posted by: Shashi on February 6, 2009
I think there is a minimum wage per hour set by MIT for on-campus work, but what is the average wage people get at MIT and what do people normally earn per year? Does it depend on what year you are in? Can we work even when not in vacations?
Posted by: Shashi on February 6, 2009
I mailed my ISFAA and all other required documents on December 30th, 2008, but my Application Tracking system reports that you still haven't received it!!! I'm extremely confused and terribly anxious. Maybe I've mistakenly sent the forms to the Admissions Office....or maybe I've sent them to the right place, but you haven't received it. I don't know :(
What should I do? Should I send in my Financial Aid Application again?
Posted by: Deeni on February 7, 2009
What is the deadline for filing the FAFSA if you are a continuing MIT student?
Thanks.
Posted by: Gayle Smith on February 7, 2009
Generic Sophomore Parent
Posted by: Generic Sophomore Parent on February 7, 2009
Posted by: unknown on February 8, 2009
Posted by: Hiral Patel on February 8, 2009
So i just finished the CSS profile thing on the collegeboard sight. kinda ironic i have to pay for it though, right? haha anways, i did MIT's first and i think i saw an H and L on the part where it says school message or something and i didnt notice it, but after ading another school and looking at the letters they had, i learned that "L" means you need to send your 2007 tax information directly to the institution? so after all that blabbering, my question is if this is correct or not? also, we send the 2008 stuff directly to the IDOC right? thank you very much!
Posted by: bob on February 8, 2009
I am an Indian applicant and have completed all the forms required of me. Can I email them to the financial aid department? Or do I have to use regular mail(it wont reach in time) or fax?
Posted by: Paul on February 9, 2009
Posted by: bob on February 11, 2009
i have faxed my ISFAA(along with CSS Business/Farm Supplement and Tax form)on 11.02.09 around 10:00 am EST....but my application tracking still doesn't report it..please help.....
Posted by: SRV on February 12, 2009
question 1: when it says to submit W2s and 1099s, does that mean the 1099s for income such as retirement fund distributions and summer job stipend of the student or do you also want us to send in all the 1099-div forms for investments reported on schedule B even if they are small amounts like $7, $15 and $23?
question 2: IDOC says to submit to them by March 1. I get the feeling you want us to send it sooner. What is your optimal time, given that Feb 15, the original CSS deadline, is Sunday. (and also the day by which we were supposed to have received the needed forms to submit tax returns officially.)
Thank you very much/
Posted by: curious parent on February 12, 2009
Posted by: Evan on February 13, 2009
Posted by: jay on February 13, 2009
I finally received the translations for my parent's Tax Returns (Country: Costa Rica) on Wednesday, and sent them immediately. They are to arrive Friday February 13 (today). Since the Feb 15 deadline is a receipt deadline, the fact that my documents will probably not be processed to appear on my tracking system anytime soon shouldn't affect the evaluation of my record for priority consideration, right?
Thank you.
Posted by: Oscar V. on February 13, 2009
wlue, hopefully my most recent post clarified this, but we wanted the documents received by 2/15/09. No pressure if they come in a few days late though....
Geetanjali, if you mean a resident of India then you must do the ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) and not the FAFSA. The FAFSA is only for US Citizens and Permanent Residents of the US.
Gaurav, if your dad is a consultant and self-employed, we still consider him a business owner. Most consultants do not have any assets to speak of in their business, but we still need to document what he owns (maybe his computer? his slide rule?). Most of the form won't apply to him -- if it doesn't just mark it with zeros.
sepideh if there are no tax forms in Iran, then you should provide a letter from your parents' employers (translated into English) that document their income. The statement should cover the calendar year 2008 and provide documentation of the income earned in your home currency.
Parent '13, yes you should feel comfortable sending a student to MIT even in the face of financial uncertainty. We have done several things to work with families in the past (and will continue to do so in the future) to honor our commitments to need-based and full-need financial aid. You should know that over time we have taken steps to reduce student loans and work, as well as address parent contributions. We also are ready to assist families who experience an unexpected income loss by reviewing appeals based on these matters. Additionally, we have already remove home equity from consideration in our determination of contribution levels from families earning less than $100,000, and we take steps to minimize our reliance on home equity for families earning more than $100,000. In short, you should know that we will work with you throughout your student's enrollment at MIT to make this financially possible.
Olisa, you are in the same boat as our friend from Iran above. All we need is the College Board form and a statement from your parent's(s') employer(s) translated into English in original currency. We will handle the rest. I just looked on our system and we don't show the documents received as of yet (BUT WE MAY HAVE THEM!). We are about three or four days behind in processing paper mail, so if you faxed or mailed it to us, it still may be in our office. Check again by end of next week and if we still do not have it then fax it to us.
King Karl, it is on a first-come, first-awarded basis, BUT we do not run out of money. That is what full-need, need-based means!! So, get your application in, but do not worry...
Steph, contact our office on Tuesday (or email me at moneyman[at]mit[dot]edu) and we can send you the Non-Custodial Waiver Petition. We will review your case and make a determination if we are willing to waive (but given the situation, we are more than likely to be willing). As for the tax information, send us the Non-Tax Filer form which is available from IDOC along with whatever documentation you have of your mom's income sources.
Shashi, we will not have any reduction in MIT scholarship next year, so no worries. Also, our minimum wage is $9.00 an hour on campus and many jobs pay more than $10.00.
Deeni, fax it in to be safe. Do you have the fax number? If not, see above…
Gayle Smith, the deadline for returning students is April 15. 2008. If you are going to be late, you can ask for an extension from your financial aid officer.
Generic, April 15 is the priority deadline.
Unknown, you can email it to me scanned if you like.
Bob, we only need your 2007 info if you can’t get your 2008 to us in time. Otherwise 2008 information is fine.
Paul, fax or regular mail is fine. So is email to me directly.
Bob, just read your 2nd message. You are correct.
SRV, as I said above we are a few days behind. Give us a few days to catch up.
Curious (2nd post), yes all W-2s and all 1099s. We would like to see it all! We recognize that many parents don’t file tax returns as of February 15th so we prefer them to be to us as soon as possible…
Evan, send all you can to us ASAP and then follow up with the 2008 to iDOC. We do need the Business/Farm supplement to read your file.
Jay, you’ll be fine. No worries!
Oscar V., as long as we get them, we’re fine! Check in with us in a few days.
Caught up! We're done!
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on February 13, 2009
Comments have been closed.