NeedAccess is the biggest PITA... Forum

[js87]

NeedAccess.org is a major pain.

I rushed the hell out of my accountant to get my 1040 done based on my paystubs, as my W2 isn't ready yet. I finally got it and I filled out the 2009 info. Now I need the 2010 estimates?! How are you supposed to fill in numbers for 2010?

And now I need my parents' information, and they haven't gotten their W2's yet either. Plus, as their financial situation is much more complex than mine, it'll take quite awhile to get their returns. Wonderful.

But, my real question is about 2010. How do you fill in the information re: 2010?

[Georgiana]

But, my real question is about 2010. How do you fill in the information re: 2010?

You guess.

You'll be in school likely not working most of the year. If you're working now, think about how much you'll make before you quit for school and plug it in. It's really not hard and it's not like they are going to come back and demand your 2010 taxes to prove whether your guesses were right or wrong.

[js87]

But, my real question is about 2010. How do you fill in the information re: 2010?

You guess.

You'll be in school likely not working most of the year. If you're working now, think about how much you'll make before you quit for school and plug it in. It's really not hard and it's not like they are going to come back and demand your 2010 taxes to prove whether your guesses were right or wrong.

Thanks for the quick reply. I like how they ask me to estimate my medical deductions. I'll try to predict any massive coronaries before they happen. So it can be a real rough estimate?

Also, any idea what to do about the parent situation? There is no possible way my parents will have their returns done for at least a month, and many schools seem to have fairly early financial aid deadlines. And the annoying part, of course, is that it has no bearing on my ability to pay for law school. They're not contributing, but I still need their information

[09042014]

What is most annoying for me, is that I need to fill out the parental info for NeedAccess even though my school says they don't even look at it.

Also I'm 95% that need and merit aid, is really just merit aid. In which case I shall get nothing.

[Georgiana]

But, my real question is about 2010. How do you fill in the information re: 2010?

You guess.

You'll be in school likely not working most of the year. If you're working now, think about how much you'll make before you quit for school and plug it in. It's really not hard and it's not like they are going to come back and demand your 2010 taxes to prove whether your guesses were right or wrong.

Thanks for the quick reply. I like how they ask me to estimate my medical deductions. I'll try to predict any massive coronaries before they happen. So it can be a real rough estimate?

Also, any idea what to do about the parent situation? There is no possible way my parents will have their returns done for at least a month, and many schools seem to have fairly early financial aid deadlines. And the annoying part, of course, is that it has no bearing on my ability to pay for law school. They're not contributing, but I still need their information

I submitted my Need Access form on 2/24/08 and it was on time for all of the schools I was applying to (T10s).

If you really really really can't have it by 3/1, you can ask your parents for estimates of it all, but thats honestly harder than them just getting it done before 3/1 (parents get stressed and annoyed about this BS too). Once they get their W-2s it shouldn't take more than a week or two even if they meet with an accountant to prepare them and then you can have them fax/mail/email you a copy or read you the relevant portions over the phone (you'll probably want a copy of them depending on the school, I know Penn asked for copies). Although you understandably want it out of the way, there is no need to stress until it gets to be mid Feb and your parents still don't have W-2s.

[Georgiana]

What is most annoying for me, is that I need to fill out the parental info for NeedAccess even though my school says they don't even look at it.

Also I'm 95% that need and merit aid, is really just merit aid. In which case I shall get nothing.

This is definitely not true at Penn (I don't know about other schools).

[09042014]

What is most annoying for me, is that I need to fill out the parental info for NeedAccess even though my school says they don't even look at it.

Also I'm 95% that need and merit aid, is really just merit aid. In which case I shall get nothing.

This is definitely not true at Penn (I don't know about other schools).

Most potential law students have around zero in net assets, and they all quit their jobs to go to law school, and take loans to pay for it. I'm not exactly sure how any student has more need than others.

[Georgiana]

What is most annoying for me, is that I need to fill out the parental info for NeedAccess even though my school says they don't even look at it.

Also I'm 95% that need and merit aid, is really just merit aid. In which case I shall get nothing.

This is definitely not true at Penn (I don't know about other schools).

Most potential law students have around zero in net assets, and they all quit their jobs to go to law school, and take loans to pay for it. I'm not exactly sure how any student has more need than others.

That would be why they ask for parent info... if you come from a rich family (for better or worse) your need is less.

[09042014]

What is most annoying for me, is that I need to fill out the parental info for NeedAccess even though my school says they don't even look at it.

Also I'm 95% that need and merit aid, is really just merit aid. In which case I shall get nothing.

This is definitely not true at Penn (I don't know about other schools).

Most potential law students have around zero in net assets, and they all quit their jobs to go to law school, and take loans to pay for it. I'm not exactly sure how any student has more need than others.

That would be why they ask for parent info... if you come from a rich family (for better or worse) your need is less.

Most students don't come from rich families, most students come from middle class families. Does Penn give out help to most students?

[Georgiana]

Most students don't come from rich families, most students come from middle class families. Does Penn give out help to most students?

I wasn't middle class growing up so people that are middle and upper middle class seem rich to me

I don't really ask people how much they got from Penn and most people don't distinguish between merit and need because they don't want to say "I'm poor, not smart." I personally got 25-50k (I prefer to work in generalities bc I'm not completely anonymous) need based and then merit based on top of that.

[Veritas]

Just finished and submitted my Need Access form.

I only have my Mom's income to report. She hadn't received her W2s, but had all her paychecks so I just chose the "Estimated 1040" option and added up her paychecks. Lots of annoying questions, but good to get it done. WOOT!

I bet 100 bucks I have to "verify"

[nthop]

Every cell in my body is boiling with hate for NeedAccess right now. I've had to fill out some asinine forms in my life, but this blows all of them out of the water.

And how is U of Chicago going to set a February 1 deadline on this thing? Ridiculous.

[buddyblack]

Ever cell in my body is boiling with hate for NeedAccess right now. I've had to fill out some asinine forms in my life, but this blows all of them out of the water.

And how is U of Chicago going to set a February 1 deadline on this thing? Ridiculous.

Wow, does anyone know if that's a soft deadline or not?

[premadance]

Don't stress out over this....just ask your parents to estimate their 2009 income and expenses. They can use their 2008 tax returns as a basis. Odds are your law school will ask for copies of your parents 2009 tax returns before they finalize their financial aid awards. They recognize that parental tax returns are not often completed before the April 15th filing deadline, so they rarely finalize awards before that date.

[premadance]

Buddyblack....I suspect UofC is like HLS. They want the apps submitted by that date so they can begin to formulate a list of other supporting documents from you and your parents. The Feb. 1st deadline thus gives them and you sufficient time to submit those documents, and to answer any questions they may have about your finances and your parents.

Agreed it's a huge pain, for you and your parents, but it's probably bettter for your general sanity to not question why they want something, but to just give them what they want.

[existenz]

So the NeedAccess says this:

Enter the amount currently owed on any other student (and spouse's) assets not included above. Do not include any personal or consumer loans, or any debts that are not related to the assets included here. Do not include any education loans.

Can I put down how much I owe on Visa/Mastercard, or does that count as "personal or consumer loans"?

Doesn't make sense that you have to declare all the money in your bank account but can't declare the debt in your credit card accounts.

Edit: Well, nevermind. I just put zero. Credit card loans are different than personal loans, but I think they do count as consumer loans.

Plus, they ask about credit card debt on the next page.

[Reinhardt]

There's a specific question for credit card debt if I'm not mistaken.

Also, this question is asking about debts on your assets. Generally, this refers to how much mortgage debt you have (and possibly car loan?). I suppose if you took a loan to pay for a Picasso, that would be included too.

[js87]

Just finished my need access. I love the question: "If either of your natural parents will have any unusual medical or dental expenses during the 2010-2011 academic year, please enter an estimate of the amount that your mother and/or father will pay OUT OF POCKET. (Do not include regular payroll insurance premiums or expenses covered by medical insurance.)"


How would they like me to predict an unusual medical expense during the upcoming year? If I could predict these things, I'd go to Medical school and become Dr. House.

And the best part -- the real irony -- after filling out an obnoxiously intrusive, tedious form to request NEED BASED AID, you're asked to pay $28.

[nthop]

And the best part -- the real irony -- after filling out an obnoxiously intrusive, tedious form to request NEED BASED AID, you're asked to pay $28.

True.

I am finally done with this, thank god. It sort of sneaked up on me. I should have read more closely the financial aid sections of the law schools to which I applied.

[09042014]

Mine only asks me for 2010 income? Am I just supposed to estimate. It never asks for 2009. This is very confusing.

[hiromoto45]

The deadline for Chicago is tomorrow...can you still submit NeedAccess tomorrow?

[DoctorNick189]

WUSTL doesn't require this nonsense, correct?

[Huskrfn127]

WUSTL doesn't require this nonsense, correct?

Here's a list of participating schools: http://needaccess.org/participating-schools.htm

[pleasetryagain]

The deadline for Chicago is tomorrow...can you still submit NeedAccess tomorrow?

I think this is a bit ridiculous of them.. seeing as most people dont get tax info until 1/29-1/31

[hiromoto45]

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