Verification

Each year, about a third of all students who apply for federal student aid are selected for verification. It could mean you made an error on your FAFSA or you could be selected at random. Regardless, we can’t produce an offer letter until we verify your file.

If your file is selected for verification, you will be notified and asked to return several required documents which may include:

• the QA Verification Worksheet - please answer all questions
• a Tax Return Transcript of your parents' federal tax return (do not send a tax account transcript) or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA to import the tax information
• a Tax Return Transcript for yourself or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA to import the tax information (if you, the student, filed taxes)

In order to request a Tax Return Transcript, you must visit www.IRS.gov and click on "get a tax transcript." The IRS will prepare and send your transcript via mail, as long as it has been longer than 2 weeks since you filed your taxes. 

Check your student frequently to see if you have been selected or to view the status of your submitted documentation. Your processing status of your documentation will be available on your "To-Do List" in your Student Service Center.

How to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

We highly recommend using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool because it is the quickest and easiest way to provide tax information to our office. Instructions for using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This tool allows you to import your tax information directly into the FAFSA application. Once you import the taxes, you must sign and submit the FAFSA. Within 2-4 business days, our office will receive your new tax information and use it to complete the verification process (with your submitted verification worksheet).