What is Verification?   

What happens if I am selected for verification?

The U.S. Department of Education and the CCSU FA Office select the FAFSA applications which are to be verified.  The primary information requiring verification includes a tax filer's adjusted gross income (AGI), taxes paid, and certain untaxed income.    If you are selected for verification, you will be notified by the Financial Aid Office and will be required to complete additional steps before the financial aid application can be processed.   

if you have been selected to complete the verification process the Financial Aid Office will notify you via email and via Central Pipeline for students: On Central Pipeline go to the Financial Aid Tab and then to the Requested Items Tab.

If you are selected for verification, you will be asked to submit additional documents needed to complete your financial aid file.

Do not submit documents unless requested. 

The Financial Aid Office cannot accept a copy of the students or parents federal tax return.  Students and parents are encouraged to use the IRS Date Retrieval process when submitting the FAFSA information.  If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval process an Official IRS Tax Transcript may be required.

• If the applicant was successful using the IRS Data Retrieval Process when filing the FAFSA only the signed verification worksheet may be required.  If the data retrieval process was unsuccessful, both the student and the parent are required to provide a copy from the IRS of the IRS TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT of their completed  federal income tax return.  Copies of the actual income tax return are no longer acceptable.

• If the applicant, parent, or spouse filed an amended return they will need to request from the IRS an IRS TAX ACCOUNT TRANSCRIPT in addition to the IRS TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT.  The Transcript copies are free and may be requested online, via telephone or by mail

Additional document(s) may include:

• Student (& Spouse) IRS Tax Return Transcript*

• Parent(s) IRS Tax Return Transcript*(if dependent)

• Verification Worksheet - parent and/or student

• Selective Service Acknowledgement letter

• Visa Verification for eligible non-citizens

• A copy of your birth certificate

• A copy of your social security card

• A copy of your Certificate of Naturalization

• Documentation of receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• Documentation of Child Support Paid by the Student's parents or Student or both

• Documentation of High School completion status

• Documentation of Identity and statement of Educational Purpose

• Proof of orphan or ward of court status

• A copy of your DD-214

• Verification of legal separation (student's or parent's marital status)

To request a transcript, free of charge, of a 2012 tax return from the IRS in one of three ways:

1.      Online at www.irs.gov 

2.      By calling 1-800-908-9946 

3.      By mail using the IRS Form 4506T-EZ

Please visit the following website for more detailed information on how the request a tax transcript: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=232168,00.html

The tax transcripts may be sent directly to a third party, such as the FA Office, but in order to do this the request  must be by mail.  Otherwise, the tax transcript should be received within 5 to 10 calendar days after the request has been made. 

The FA office reviews the data and compares it with the information entered on the FAFSA.  The verification needs to be done in a timely manner otherwise a student's financial aid cannot be completed.  Failure to comply may result in cancellation of any financial aid awarded. 

When differences are found between what is reported on the FAFSA, tax returns and other required documents, adjustments may be made to the financial aid award.  Verification documents must be submitted within 30 days of the request and or by June 1, whichever comes first.

Delays which may occur due to late verification

• No financial aid grant funds may be credited and disbursed until verification is completed.

• Delays make finalizing plans how to pay for your college education more difficult. 

• Financial aid cannot be posted to your CCSU bill until verification is completed. You are responsible for paying the entire bill when due.  Late fees, cancellation of registration and residence hall reservations, and account holds may occur.

Changes in student status and verification may affect financial aid eligibility

• Student status changes affect class standing, residency, dependent/independent status, and other qualifiers for eligibility.

• Changes in the FAFSA EFC affect eligibility requirements for receiving Pell and other types of aid.

How to complete the verification worksheet

• When you complete your FAFSA, print a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) which informs you if you were selected for verification.  The FA Office will inform you also..

• The FA Office  will advise you what documents are required to complete the verification process including the verification worksheet for dependent students or the verification worksheet for independent students.  The verification worksheets may be downloaded at www.ccsu.edu/finaid from the Forms file.

• Make sure you use your correct CCSU ID number on the worksheet.