
International students applying to American colleges often have to fill out a CSS Profile, which acts as a financial aid calculator form. This form is used to determine how much financial aid a student may receive from a college. After submitting the CSS Profile, students may be required to submit additional supporting financial documents through IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service). IDOC is a service that collects and distributes financial documents to institutions on behalf of the student. However, it is important to note that not all students will submit documentation through IDOC, and prospective and returning international financial aid applicants at certain colleges may be required to submit supporting materials through a separate Financial Aid Checklist instead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is IDOC? | IDOC is a service that collects family financial documents and distributes them to institutions on behalf of the student. |
| Who uses IDOC? | All U.S. citizen applicants (including prospective and returning students) must submit supporting tax and income documentation directly to the IDOC service. International students do not use IDOC. |
| What documents are submitted? | Tax returns, W-2 forms, and other financial aid documents for the student and their parents. |
| What is the process? | Students receive an email from the College Board and can then log in to IDOC to view deadlines, upload documents, and track submitted documents. |
| What is the cost? | The CSS Profile, which is submitted before IDOC, costs between $16-25 USD per school. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students applying to American colleges must submit financial documents to IDOC
- IDOC requires a translation of all documents into English
- Students must submit their CSS Profile before uploading documents to IDOC
- IDOC allows for the electronic upload, transmission, and submission of financial aid documents
- Students can track their submitted documents on IDOC

International students applying to American colleges must submit financial documents to IDOC
International students applying to American colleges may be required to submit financial documents to IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service). IDOC is a platform where students can upload financial aid documents, such as tax forms, bank statements, and other financial aid documents for themselves and their parents.
Not all students will need to submit documentation through IDOC. If you are required to do so, you will receive an email from the College Board with login details and instructions. Students can then log in to IDOC, view deadlines, upload documents, and track submitted documents.
It is important to note that while some colleges may require a CSS Profile, which costs between $16-25 USD per school, others may require additional financial documents to be submitted through IDOC. These documents may include tax returns, W-2 forms, and other financial aid forms.
For international students whose parents are not US citizens or residents and do not live in the US, they may not be required to fill out a US Federal Tax Return. Instead, they can submit any government-issued official tax documents that they are required to file in their home country. If there is no such thing as a tax return in the student's home country, they can submit an income statement from their employer, which includes the deducted tax.
It is recommended that international students treat the college application deadline as the deadline for their financial aid application to ensure they qualify for financial aid in their first year of school.
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IDOC requires a translation of all documents into English
International students applying to American colleges often have to fill out IDOC (official financial forms) as part of their application. This is in addition to completing a CSS Profile.
You do not need to have these documents officially translated; you can translate them yourself. However, it is important to note that some colleges may have different requirements for translated documents, so it is always best to check with the specific college or university you are applying to.
One student from Italy, for example, was required to submit their tax returns, but as these were in Italian, they had to be translated into English. In this case, the student only needed to translate the sections regarding taxes and wages, rather than the entire document.
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Students must submit their CSS Profile before uploading documents to IDOC
The CSS Profile is a standardised financial form that is required by hundreds of colleges and universities across the US. It is used to collect in-depth financial information to help students qualify for financial aid. The CSS Profile is especially valuable for low-income, first-generation, and high-achieving students.
IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service) is a service that assists with financial aid documentation. It is administered by the College Board, just like the CSS Profile. IDOC allows students to submit their documents directly via a secure portal. If IDOC is required, students will be notified via their College Board account about which documents need to be uploaded.
Some colleges require both the CSS Profile and IDOC. For international students, this means filling out the CSS Profile and then uploading documents to IDOC. However, it is not mandatory for all students to submit documents through IDOC. If you need to, the College Board will email you, and you can log in at that time.
When submitting documents to IDOC, students may be asked to upload tax returns, W-2 forms, and other financial aid documents for themselves and their parents. It is important to ensure that all family information is correct to prevent processing delays. Students can also translate any non-English documents themselves by translating the name of the form and providing a brief English translation of each currency value.
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IDOC allows for the electronic upload, transmission, and submission of financial aid documents
IDOC, or the Institutional Documentation Service, is a platform that allows for the electronic upload, transmission, and submission of financial aid documents. It is managed by College Board and serves as a middleman between students and colleges/universities. Students can upload their financial documents, such as tax returns, W-2s, and 1099s, to the IDOC website, and College Board will then send these documents electronically to the colleges and universities that the student has selected.
This service is particularly useful for students applying for financial aid, as it allows them to submit their financial information securely and efficiently. After submitting the CSS Profile, students can log in to IDOC, view deadlines, and upload the required financial aid documents. The platform also enables students to track the status of their submitted documents.
It is important to note that not all colleges and universities use IDOC. It is only utilized by schools that specifically request it and require the CSS Profile. Additionally, international students may have different requirements when it comes to submitting financial aid documents. While some sources indicate that international students do upload documents to IDOC, others suggest that they submit their supporting materials separately through a Financial Aid Checklist.
To ensure a smooth process, students should refer to the specific instructions and requirements provided by their chosen colleges or universities. They can also seek guidance from the IDOC website, which offers information on the required documents, deadlines, and other relevant details.
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Students can track their submitted documents on IDOC
International students applying to American colleges are often required to submit documents to IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service). IDOC is a service provided by the College Board that allows students to submit their financial aid documents online. These documents are then automatically provided to all of the student's IDOC schools.
Once notified, students can log in to IDOC to view deadlines, upload documents, and
For students applying to multiple schools that use IDOC, only one submission of the family's financial supporting documents is needed. The College Board will securely transmit the documents to each school's financial aid office. This means that students do not need to submit separate documentation for each school.
It is worth noting that not all students will submit documentation through IDOC. If a student needs to submit documents, they will be notified by the College Board via email. Students can then log in and submit their documents.
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Frequently asked questions
International students applying to American colleges are required to submit documents to IDOC. However, prospective and returning international financial aid applicants to Swarthmore College do not utilize IDOC and must submit supporting materials via their Financial Aid Checklist.
IDOC, or Institutional Documentation Service, is a service that collects family financial documents and distributes them to institutions on behalf of the student.
You will likely be asked to upload tax returns, W-2 forms, and other financial aid documents for yourself and your parents.
After receiving an email from the College Board, you can log in to IDOC, view deadlines, and upload the required documents.





