Verification

Effective July 13, the federal processor has determined that schools do not need to conduct the V1 standard verification process for the remainder of the 2021 – 22 school year. Students previously notified that they must submit additional documentation for this process no longer need to do so. The office is in the process of updating student records, in the student portal. If the office determines that a student’s file is now complete without the previously required documentation, the student’s file will reflect a July 13 completion date. (Note: students selected for V4 or V5 verification are still required to submit requested documentation)

Verification is a process that requires our office to validate certain information on your FAFSA. Verification is required for at least 30% of students applying for aid. Selection for the Verification process occurs in two ways:

• The Federal Processor selected you based on the following criteria:
  • Random Selection
  • Incomplete FAFSA
  • Conflicting or Incorrect FAFSA Information
  • Estimated FAFSA Information
• Our office selected you based on the following criteria:
  • Conflicting data or information contained within your file
  • A need for clarification of data/information within your file
  • Incorrect tax filing status
  • Estimated FAFSA Information with zero or low income
  • Randomly to ensure at least 30% of our files are verified

If you are selected for Verification, we notify you via email that you must provide additional documentation to complete your file. Files selected for Verification are not processed for an award until you submit the required documents.

Possible Required Documentation

The documentation you must submit varies based on the type of Verification you are selected for, but may include:

• A Specific Verification Worksheet – use the Financial Aid Student Portal to make sure you complete the right one.
• An IRS tax transcript or signed copies of your 1040 forms for you, your spouse, and parents if applicable
  • We generally exclude tax return losses that do not represent an actual loss in income for the tax year. This may include; Depreciation, Net Operating Loss, Passive Losses, and Amortization.
• W-2s, Social Security Statements, Child Support Orders, and other documents that verify your income and household size.

Instructions are included in the email we send you, and on the required Verification form.

Note: Financial Aid Office staff is required by federal and state regulation to resolve any information that appears incorrect, conflicts with other information in your file, or requires clarification. Staff may use their own professional judgment to select your file for the verification process, or to require submission of other types of documentation.

Last Updated July 15, 2021