Should I send my W2 to my college's financial aid office if my parents did not...

[DerWelt]

...include it in their taxes? So, storytime.

I will be attending VCU in the fall as a freshman. They sent me a form asking for some more financial aid information like a 2007 Federal Tax Return and the W2's from my part-time job. However, my parents forgot to submit my W2's in their tax return!

So should I still submit my W2 form to VCU if it is not on my parents' official 2007 Federal Tax return? Will they give me more money for financial aid?

PLEASE HELP! I'M A POOR STRUGGLING FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF THIS COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID BS!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

TAX PROS

[bud68]

Your W-2 does not belong in your parent's tax return. It belongs in YOUR tax return.

[bookish]

Your W2 has nothing to do with your parents' tax return. They shouldn't file yours with theirs.
They most likely filled out a FAFSA, but many colleges (my younger son's, for instance) also want to see tax returns and/or W2s. Just fax or mail them what they want.
Believe me, I went through this for 7 years straight with my two sons. It's horrible, and I hated it every year. But just send them whatever they ask for, and if you have questions, call up and talk to someone about it. Good luck!!
The younger one graduates next month! I'm done with the horrible financial aid forms!!!