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Frequently Asked Questions About IODC
What is the College Board and why am I sending financial information to them? I would rather send this information directly to Mount Holyoke.
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. IDOC is one of the many programs sponsored by the College Board. Mount Holyoke has contracted with the College Board to collect and process your financial information. Sending this information to the College Board as requested will help us process your financial aid application more quickly and efficiently.
How will you keep my information confidential?
The confidentiality of your information is very important to the College Board and to Mount Holyoke. Every effort is made to guarantee the integrity and privacy of data submitted by students and parents. To ensure the highest level of security, the College Board has implemented systems that include multiple firewalls with unique security zones, data encryption, intrusion detection systems, data and system backups, and data integrity checks. Your information will be stored in a secure environment, and will be communicated only to the financial aid office(s) at IDOC-participating college(s) and program(s) to which you are applying. The paper copies of your documents will be destroyed after the conclusion of this processing year.
The lock icon at the bottom of the page means the website is using an encryption technology known as Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL. The URL of websites using SSL will begin with "https:" instead of "http:" indicating the secure connection. SSL software authenticates that the College Board is the owner of this site. Double click on the lock to obtain more information.
My IDOC information packet was returned to me with a letter stating that I need to reprint my IDOC Cover Sheet. Why?
Your IDOC Cover Sheet is necessary to guarantee that your material will be processed correctly. The Cover Sheet must be a legible one side of one-page document that is not damaged in any way that would prevent it from going through the document scanning process. Please print a legible one-page copy of your IDOC Cover Sheet from the IDOC website to return with your material as soon as possible.
My IDOC Cover Sheet isn't printing as a one-page document. What can I do?
We suggest that you adjust the print margins on your computer.
How do I ensure prompt processing of my information?
- Complete and mail the IDOC Cover Sheet with one legible copy of each of the required documents. On the Cover Sheet provide the Social Security Number for each parent submitting documents, and for the student's spouse, if applicable. Be sure the student's Social Security Number is correct and complete in the first section of the Cover Sheet. Sign the Cover Sheet and all appropriate tax documents.
- Copy each document page on a separate 8.5" X 11" sheet of white paper (full sized - no reduction or enlargement). Copy both sides of each tax form and be sure that the copy is legible and complete. Copies must be 1-sided. Do not copy more than one W-2 form on a single sheet of paper.
- Mail all requested documents with the Cover Sheet to the College Board at the address on the Cover Sheet. Do not send the requested information to the College Board in multiple mailings. Do not send duplicate packets. Only information from the noncustodial parent, if requested, may be submitted separately with a separate Cover Sheet.
- You can print a duplicate IDOC Cover Sheet and/or Requirements Document from the Collegeboard Web site. The Cover Sheet must be printed on one side of a single sheet of paper.
- Material received without a Cover Sheet will be returned unprocessed to the return address on the envelope, or, if not available, the address on the tax returns. If neither address is available, the packet will be returned to the student's address of record.
How do I get a copy of my IDOC Cover Sheet?
Go to the IDOC Sign In Page. Enter two of the following: your IDOC ID, your Social Security Number, or your Date of Birth; then click the "Cover Sheet" button. Your IDOC Cover Sheet must be legible and printed as a one-side of one page document.
How do I learn what documents I need to send to the College Board?
Go to the IDOC Sign In Page. Enter two of the following: your IDOC ID, your Social Security Number, or your Date of Birth; then click the "Requirements Document" button. Keep the IDOC Requirements Document for your records. Do not return it to the College Board.
How do I verify that the College Board has received my IDOC packet and has forwarded it to the college or program that requested it?
Go to the IDOC Sign In Page. Enter two of the following: your IDOC ID, your Social Security Number, or your Date of Birth; then click the "Status" button. The IDOC Status page will display the date we notified you of your IDOC requirements, the date we received your IDOC materials, and the date we sent your IDOC information to Mount Holyoke. The notification and receipt dates are reported to Mount Holyoke.
Where should I send my IDOC information?
Please use the following address:
College Board IDOC
PO Box 4017
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
How can I expedite mailing my information to the College Board?
If you would like to expedite the shipment of your required IDOC information you may send your information via priority mail through the U.S. Postal Service. Make certain that you return your information to the address on the IDOC Cover Sheet:
College Board IDOC
P.O. Box 4017
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. If I applied to two (or more) colleges or programs that are IDOC participants, do I send two copies of my forms? If I send only one copy of my forms will the College Board make my information available to both colleges or programs?
The College Board requires only one copy of your forms. The information that you provide will be made available to all of your colleges and programs that use IDOC.
We cannot meet the deadline for filing our information with IDOC. What do we do?
Return the documents requested to the College Board as soon as possible. Contact Student Financial Services and explain your circumstances
Can we send a partial mailing of the required IDOC materials now and return the rest of the information at a later date?
No. It's important that you return the requested information to IDOC as a complete package and not in separate mailings. Only information from the noncustodial parent, if requested, may be submitted separately with a duplicate IDOC Cover Sheet.
What are the consequences of returning the information required by Mount Holyoke after the deadline indicated on my IDOC letter?
We strongly encourage families to file all financial aid documents by the priority filing dates. While financial aid is not compromised by filing late in the first year, filing deadlines must be met in subsequent years in order to avoid late penalties, including loss of state grant funding that will not be replaced by institutional grants or loan increases.
Is the deadline given in my IDOC letter the date that my information must be postmarked or the date that you must receive our documents?
The College Board must receive your documents no later than the deadline listed on your IDOC letter. Make certain that you return your information to the address on the IDOC Cover Sheet:
College Board IDOC
P.O. Box 4017
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
How long does it take to process my information once the College Board receives it?
It takes approximately five business days to process the information once it is received.
I completed my IDOC packet a while ago but have not received a financial aid award from the school. I thought the turnaround was 5 business days. When will I receive my financial aid award?
Mount Holyoke College will communicate directly with you about your financial aid award. IDOC information is only one component of many evaluated by Student Financial Services when reviewing your information. Please consult the material that Student Financial Services has available (information directly mailed to you, the website, etc.) to help determine when your award eligibility will be determined. Please contact Student Financial Services if you have additional questions.
What happens to the paper copies of my tax information once the College Board has completed processing?
After the end of the processing year, the College Board destroys all of the paper copies sent to them.
If you are sending my tax information to one college, why don't you send my tax information to the other colleges that I listed to receive my PROFILE information?
Not all colleges participate in IDOC. The College Board sends IDOC documents only to colleges and programs that use the IDOC Service. Follow directions from your other college(s) or program(s) about where and when to submit your tax forms.
I was told I would receive information on IDOC from the College Board, but I have not received anything. When I go to IDOC Online to check my status it says that I was not notified by the College Board to use IDOC. Am I supposed to send IDOC materials to someone?
No. Please note that IDOC notification does not begin until the first week of February. If you have been told that you will receive an IDOC notification and you have not yet received one as of the second week of February, it may be that Mount Holyoke has not yet provided the College Board with your information. You will be notified when Mount Holyoke instructs the College Board to do so. If you are required to submit a 2006-2007 CSS PROFILE Application and you have not, please do so as soon as possible. Not submitting your PROFILE Application can delay your IDOC notification. Email Student Financial Services if you have questions about when you need to send your tax forms to the College Board.
Can I use last year's 2005-2006 IDOC Cover Sheet to send my 2006-2007 IDOC information?
No. You must use the current 2006-2007 Cover Sheet.
Can I use my sister's IDOC Cover Sheet to send my IDOC information if we both attend Mount Holyoke College
No. The Cover Sheet is only valid for the student whose Social Security Number, name, and IDOC ID appear on the Cover Sheet.
I am a noncustodial parent and am sending in IDOC information for my daughter. What will happen to my tax information if there is anything wrong with the packet? I don't want the information returned to my daughter's custodial parent
Material received at the College Board without a Cover Sheet or that is missing required information will be returned, unprocessed, to the return address on the envelope, or, if not available, to the address on the tax forms. Only if neither address is available, will the packet be returned to the student's address of record.
Where can I obtain a copy of the verification worksheet requested by Mount Holyoke?
Go to the IDOC Sign In Page. Choose the "Verification Worksheets" link. Click the verification worksheet for Mount Holyoke.
I am receiving emails reminding me to return my IDOC packet but I will not be sending in any tax information. Can you stop sending me these reminders?
Yes, there is a link at the bottom of the emails that will register your request to opt out of receiving further email reminders. You may also send an email for help to CSS Profile.
I lost my IDOC ID. How do I find out what it is?
Your IDOC ID is located on your IDOC Cover Sheet. If you do not have the Cover Sheet, go to the IDOC Sign In Page. Enter your Social Security Number and your Date of Birth, then click the "Cover Sheet" button. If you still need assistance, contact the College Board by calling 305-829-9793 or email CSS Profile.
My parents and I are not U.S. citizens and will not file U.S. income tax returns. I received a letter from the College Board directing me to submit my tax documents through its IDOC service. What should I send to the College Board?
You should submit whatever tax documents you and your parents are required to file. If you or your parents are not filing a U.S., Canadian, or Puerto Rican income tax return, indicate that on the IDOC Cover Sheet by filling in the correct ovals in the "Non Tax Filer's Statement" at the bottom of the page. Sign the Cover Sheet and return it to the College Board at the address on the Cover Sheet. If you submit a foreign tax return, you will need to send a copy to Student Financial Services.
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