Okay, so some of these schools ds applied to require the FAFSA and PROFILE to be filed by February 1. Employers and such are required to give the W-2 or 1099 information by January 31....in our case, we have always received these the last week of the month.

I got the last piece of info I needed on Wednesday, the 26th. Spent ALL DAY yesterday getting it done....and at the end of the PROFILE form I learned I needed to complete and submit yet one more form specifically for Duke. Will do that today. I'm an organized person, do my own taxes, keep extensive records, but still...this was one tough assignment.

Anyway, I just have to tell *someone*

**********************I FINISHED THE FORMS!!!!**************************

I think every person completing these forms deserves an internet round of applause!!! (For me, this has been the worst part of the whole educational process!! I want to go back to bed for a week!)

Mostly because You won't get lost in the form so much. Our first year was a REAL bear, because we own lots of farm land and it was very unclear to me how to list that.

Next year, you will do it faster, but it will still ANNOY you! I think they make these forms so difficult so fewer families will actually complete them, so fewer families will get any government help for college. Just a theory........