Verification Selection

Key Information

• Verification is a process used to ensure that your FAFSA is accurate.
• If you are selected, you will need to provide specific documents.
• Typically, financial aid is not disbursed until the verification process is complete.

Many FAFSA applications are verified. Some schools verify 100%.

Verification is a process used to ensure that certain FAFSA information is accurate. Either the U.S. Department of Education or your school may verify your FAFSA.

If you have been selected, breathe. You can handle it.

Reasons for Verification

• You were selected randomly.
• Your FAFSA was incomplete.
• Your FAFSA contained inconsistent data.
• Your FAFSA contained estimated data.

What You Should Do

Once you receive notification that you have been selected for verification, you should:

• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for messages from the U.S. Department of Education.
  If you have questions, visit your school’s financial aid website first. Then contact the Financial Aid Office if you cannot find the answers.
• Gather the requested documents.
  Do not provide additional information than what was requested.Be sure that all documents have the appropriate signatures.
• Complete a verification worksheet, if required.
  You will receive specific instructions if this is required.
• Return all verification materials as soon as possible.
  Verification must be completed before you can receive any financial aid.

Your Financial Aid Office will compare your verification documents with your Student Aid Report. If errors significantly change the amount of financial aid you were awarded, you will receive a notification of these revisions.

Did you know?

• Don’t stress if you were chosen for verification. Many FAFSAs are verified by the U.S. Department of Education. Some schools verify 100% of applications.