Verification

What is Verification?

Verification is the process that schools use to confirm that the data reported on an applicant’s FAFSA is accurate.

• It may involve requesting additional documentation to corroborate the information reported and authenticated by the applicant (and, if dependent, the applicant’s parents).

• Students can be selected by the school or by the US Department of Education.

• Verification cannot be completed until your most recent tax returns are filed.

• Verification is processed with individual colleges NOT the FAFSA itself

How do students know if they were selected for verification?

1. Students can see whether they are selected for federal verification after submitting the FAFSA and reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR)

   1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. An asterisk may appear beside your EFC on the top of your SAR

                  2. For example, EFC=0000* (selected for verification) vs. EFC=0000 (not selected for verification)

2. In addition, colleges may contact the student via mail, e-mail, or portal to ask for verification materials at ANY TIME during the financial aid process

3. Some colleges may list that they select ALL students for verification and the necessary documents on their website

What documentation may be required?

1. A tax return transcript, or successful usage of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) in FOTW

2. A signed statement to confirm the number in the student’s family and where any other dependents may be attending college

3. All W-2’s received by the student and parent(s)

4. A signed statement to certify that any Federal student financial assistance received will only be used for educational purposes and to pay the cost of attending school

5. A student or parent may have to file a non-filer form/4506 T Form online

• • • https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf

    • https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4506-t