Verification

You can be selected for verification for any number of reasons, but some of the more common reasons are:

• You were selected randomly.
• The FAFSA® you submitted has incomplete data.
• The information you provided on your FAFSA® contradicts itself.
• Your FAFSA® contains estimated information.

The verification process is critical- the tax information reported can drastically change what awards you're eligible to receive and we want to make sure we are offering you the maximum amount available.

If you've been selected for verification, you should examine your Student Aid Report (SAR) for any messages from the Department of Education. You will need to collect copies of the documents that our office requests, which may include a Marriage Certificate, a Social Security Card, an Alien Registration Card, and any Federal Tax Forms. The type of documents required will vary from student to student, and not all students selected for FAFSA® verification will have to submit the same documents.

Once you have collected all the required documents, you will need to submit them, along with the appropriate Institutional Verification Worksheet (below), to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Do not turn in any documentation that was not requested. For example, if you turn in too many tax schedules and it shows information that the FAFSA® has not asked for, our office will be obligated to use that additional information in calculating need. Only turn in what is requested.

Priority submission of verification document is within 30 days of receiving notification of outstanding requirements.  Certain funds are limited; failure to supply our office with the requested documents in a timely manner may result in loss of priority funds.

The final deadline for verification to be completed is the last day of your enrollment or the last day of the school year for which your application has been selected. 

• Online or by mail   
• Automated Telephone Request - Call 1-800-908-9946     
• Paper Request Form - Download IRS Form 4506T-EZ or IRS Form 4506-T 

You will find this document listed under OSFA Forms and Publications. The document must be signed and turned into the financial aid office, along with a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. 

If the student is unable to complete this requirement in person at the university, they will need to select the version of the form to be used with a notary. Both the notarized document and a copy of the valid government issued photo-ID must be mailed to our office together. Please contact our office with questions or concerns.