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2018-2019 Verification Information

Verification is Mandated by the Department of Education

The Department of Education randomly selects at least 30% of all college students who submit a FAFSA for the verification process, and publishes the Federal Register outlining required documentation needed from students to compare the information reported on the FAFSA.

Our office notifies students via AP Email and/or AP OneStop if (1) they are selected for verification, (2) our office needs additional information, (3) our office makes FAFSA corrections, or (4) any award offer changes.

Processing time increases significantly during peak periods (July, August, and January). Processing time is typically 7 to 10 business days, but may exceed 10 business days during peak processing times.

2018-2019 Dependent and Independent Student Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE: Frequently check your AP email and AP OneStop for notification of additional needed documentation.

IRS and the Verification of Income

If required, IRS tax information must be submitted to our office. Follow these instructions to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript.

2016 Tax Filing Statuses

Married but filed separate 2016 tax returns OR parents are unmarried but living together

Amended Tax Return

Foreign Tax Return

Tax Extension

Identity Theft

Conflicting Info

Conflicting information exists if one or more data elements appear to be incorrect. If conflicting data is determined during the course of verification, it must be resolved. Inaccurate information will be corrected and transmitted to the federal processor. If a correction is processed, an email will be sent to you.

400/401 Codes

Our office reviews 400/401 codes to determine if further review is required. This review is completed via an electronic process. If the reason for the code requires further review, appropriate documentation is loaded as required, and you will be sent an email notification. If the reason for the code does not require review, the requirement will be waived.

Rollovers

The 2018-2019 FAFSA permits a student/parent to include the amount of a rollover when using IRS DRT. If IRS DRT was utilized, and the IRS Distributions flag indicates a change was made, our office requests a statement concerning the rollover from you or your parent (if dependent). The statement must include the amount of the rollover and indicate the rollover was IRS authorized.

Judgment Lien

A student is not eligible for federal student aid if the student owns property that is subject to a judgment lien for a debt owed to the United States. A parent can’t receive a PLUS Loan if either the student or the parent has property subject to a judgment lien for a debt owed to the United States. If it is determined a judgment lien exists and aid has already been processed, it will be canceled.

Deadlines

Per Federal Law, 2018-2019 verification may be completed 120 days from the last day of a student's enrollment for the award year or the official published Federal Register deadline, whichever is earlier. If students fail to submit the requested documentation by the deadline, they forfeit any eligibility for the award year. Student loans cannot be processed after the term or semester ends in which a student was enrolled, unless certain criteria are met for a late disbursement.

NOTE: The above deadline is for verification paperwork purposes only. All other deadline dates remain the same.