Resource Library

FAFSA: Verification

Students whose Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) has been selected for verification; no need to worry! About 30% of FAFSA filers are selected for this process.

Category
Paying for Education & Training
Topics
Financial Aid, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA))

Stay Calm & FAFSA On

Being selected for verification does not mean that something is wrong or that the student has done anything wrong. Some applications are selected due to FAFSA information that looks like a mistake, but most are selected randomly. Some schools verify all FAFSAs.

Verification is important though, as this is the process by which institutions are able to know for sure that the student’s information is correct and that they are who they say they are. If a student is selected for verification, they will need to submit documentation of the things that they are being asked to verify. It is imperative that deadlines are adhered to. If a student misses a deadline, it may result in a loss of potential aid. Things that are typically flagged for verification are the parent’s taxes or income information. One great way to potentially avoid this is to utilize the Direct Data Exchange Tool!

If a student is a homeless or foster youth, they also have a greater chance of being flagged for verification. Oftentimes they will need a letter verifying that they are in foster care or that they are homeless. District personnel and caseworkers can help obtain this information.

Each school’s verification process will look a bit different but, generally, the following things may be requested:

  • A form for students and parents to complete and sign potentially asking for the number of people in the household, child support and government benefits received, etc.
  • Tax documentation for the prior tax year
  • Copy of the federal 1040 signed by the parent(s)

Sometimes a student may need to send in their parent’s tax transcripts from up to seven years in the past. When locating or obtaining transcripts, be sure to select the return transcript. This is the one that has the information schools need; an account transcript will not work for schools.

Please visit the links below to obtain the proper documents!

Welcome to Get Transcript
IRS Offers Help to Students, Families to Get Tax Information for Student Financial Aid Applications

Once students and parents receive either the return transcript or a copy of the tax information, they should send it to the college along with any other required form(s) or identification. Most institutions have preferred methods for transferring secure information—ask the financial aid office for theirs before dropping anything in the mail or clicking that send button. Schools generally take several weeks to verify students so it is important that they turn in the requested information as soon as possible once they are flagged for verification. Schools typically notify students after the process is complete if there are any changes to their financial aid packages.

 

Source: MCAN

 

 

 

Verification Process Q&A

No! You are not in any trouble and you can still receive financial aid. You will work with the Financial Aid Office to get the information corrected and then everything will be fine. It is important to get the requested information submitted as quickly as possible so your aid will be ready for you when school starts.

The one thing that almost everyone will be asked to submit is a copy of their (student and/or parent) federal income tax or an IRS transcript. Rather than submitting tax returns you can go back into your filed FAFSA and correct it using what is called IRS Data Retrieval (IRS DRT). There are some special circumstances where you cannot use this process, but most people can. If you use this process to correct your FAFSA you will not be required to submit copies of your (student and/or parent) federal tax return(s) or IRS transcript(s). Remember next year when you file your FAFSA to use the IRS Data Retrieval process when you initially file the FAFSA and you might not get selected for verification.

When you get your results back from filing the FAFSA it will indicate you have been selected for verification. The Financial Aid Office at institutions that receive the results of your FAFSA will also be notified of your selection and the institution will ask you for the required documentation.

 

The college(s) that received your FAFSA will contact you and explain what you need to complete and submit. This is usually done by e-mail. Many schools will use your new institutional e-mail address to contact you, so it is important for you to start reviewing your new institution’s e-mail.

The information should be sent to the college or career school that requested the information. Do not send it to the the US Department of Education, who manages the FAFSA and its review process.   Colleges will always inform you about the best way to submit the information.

 

Most times, yes. However, it is important for you to continue to watch for further requests. The financial aid office may have some additional questions about the submitted documents or a document may be incomplete. Remember, they are trying to help make sure you get the maximum financial aid for which you are eligible so respond right away if you get another request.

If you have special circumstances that prevent you from completing the process contact the financial aid office at the institution you will be attending. They are there to help you through the process and have some special tools that work with special circumstances. Remember, they are there to help you get the best financial aid for which you are eligible.

You will be asked to sign a statement indicating you did not file a federal tax return. The form will ask for any income you had during the year and may ask for you to submit copies of appropriate W-2 forms.

What is requested depends on the information you placed on the FAFSA. Some common things that might also be requested are a listing of household members and those in college, listing of untaxed income, and asset information. Most of these will be a form you and/or parents will need to complete, sign, and submit.

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