About 30% of all FAFSA filers are selected for verification. Verification allows the Financial Aid Office to confirm that information reported on the FAFSA is accurate and to resolve any conflicting information that may affect eligibility for federal student aid. Being selected does not mean that you did anything wrong.
If you are selected, the Financial Aid Office will notify you of the documents or information needed. Requests for documentation vary based on the verification requirements assigned to the student and the information reported on the FAFSA. Submit all requested items as soon as possible to prevent delays in determining your eligibility for financial aid and receiving your aid funds.
Easiest Way to Complete Verification
The easiest, fastest, and most accurate way to complete the FAFSA form is online and by providing consent and approval for the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX). This process allows eligible federal tax information (FTI) for the student and their parent (if applicable) to be directly imported into the FAFSA form, improving accuracy and streamlining the financial aid process.
In many cases, using the FA-DDX results in quicker processing and may reduce the need for additional tax documentation during verification or other institutional reviews; however, schools may still request documentation when necessary.
If you’re unable or choose not to use the FA-DDX in FAFSA on the web or paper form, you must submit a tax return transcript or a signed IRS Individual Income Tax Return along with a verification form requesting the student’s information, family information, income, and signature(s). If you’ve filed your taxes with the IRS, you should log into your FAFSA account at the Federal Student Aid website and make a correction to provide consent and approval to use the FA-DDX to import your tax information. Note: it must be at least 2-3 weeks after the electronic filed return is accepted and processed, or 6-8 weeks or longer if filed by paper before this option becomes available. If you need to request a tax return transcript, you can do so on the IRS website or by calling 1-800-908-9946.
If you are not required to file taxes and will not be filing, you must complete a signed statement and submit all IRS Form W-2 or equivalent documents for each source of employment. Unless there is conflicting information, an IRS Verification of Non-filing letter is not required for someone who would have filed a U.S. tax return. Verification of non-filing is required only for a nontax filer who would file a tax return with a tax authority other than the IRS.
Submitting your FAFSA and completing verification is required before aid can be awarded. Failure to meet the verification deadlines may result in certain types of aid not being offered.
Verification is an important step in the financial aid process. It’s not a process to be feared, but it is one to be taken seriously. A quick turnaround in submitting requested documents can ensure your financial aid file is processed in a timely and accurate manner.