Verification Instructions
Verification is a process used to verify certain information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure its accuracy.
The U.S. Department of Education or the Office of Financial Aid may, at any time, select your application for verification based upon the information you have provided. We are required to make sure that all aid is awarded to students according to federal, state, and institutional regulations. If selected, the verification process must be completed before financial aid can be awarded.
How will you be notified?
You will be notified through your email if you have any unsatisfied requirements that must be met before a federal financial aid award will be determined.
You can review unsatisfied requirements on your MyUB in the Student Center and you will check your To-Do List.
If you were selected for verification, the documentation you submit will be compared to the original FAFSA and corrections may be made. These corrections could change the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) which could affect the award amount. If corrections were made, you will receive a new FAFSA Submission Summary from the Department of Education.
Verification Process
At a minimum, students selected for verification must complete and submit the Verification Worksheet and official federal IRS tax data. The Verification Worksheet may be obtained from the Forms website.
Verification of Tax Information
FAFSA uses tax information from two years prior. FAFSA will automatically attempt to transfer your tax information directly from the IRS. If FAFSA cannot transfer the tax information from the IRS, you will need to:
- Submit a signed copy of your IRS Form1040 with Schedules 1-3 if filed with your return, OR
- Submit a Federal Tax Return Transcript ( requested from the IRS )
If you filed a Foreign Tax Return, submit all pages of your federal tax return and be sure it is signed by the tax filer. If the currency is not listed in US Dollars, please convert the amounts to US Dollars.
Please write the conversion rate on the document.
If you did not file taxes, r efer to a verification worksheet for instructions , with your W-2s, if you worked.
If a W-2 is not Available
If an individual who is required to submit an IRS Form W-2 did not save a copy, they should request a replacement W-2 from the employer who issued the original.
How should I submit my documents?
You can load your documents through our Secure Upload.
What Happens When Selected for Verification?
The above video provides general information in reference to Verification.