Is the IDOC service widely required by colleges, or is it selective?

Working on financial aid applications is pretty overwhelming. I've heard about this IDOC service, but I'm not exactly sure what it is and whether most colleges require it. Could someone who's been through this explain a bit more about it and which types of schools require you to submit financial info through IDOC?

Navigating financial aid applications can indeed be a daunting process, but don't worry, you'll get through this! IDOC, which stands for the Institutional Documentation Service, is a service provided by the College Board that collects financial documents and distributes them to institutions on behalf of the student. Not all colleges and universities use IDOC - it tends to be used by institutions that have a more in-depth financial aid application process, often private and sometimes more selective colleges. For example, many schools that require the CSS Profile for financial aid will also use IDOC, as the two services are related. IDOC is essentially a centralized way to submit documents, such as tax returns and W-2 forms, which can streamline the process for you and the schools to which you're applying. Always check each institution's financial aid website or contact their financial aid office directly to confirm whether they use IDOC. Remember, deadlines for submitting financial aid documents can differ from application deadlines, so make sure to keep track of those as well. And just another tip, always keep copies of the documents you're submitting for your own records. Hang in there, you're doing great!