Financial Aid Verification
Overview
Each year, the Central Processing System (CPS) will randomly select
a portion of all aid applications for the verification process.
The selection process is controlled by the Federal Government and is
random. In addition, each school has the authority to select
other aid applications for verification if there is reason to believe
errors have been made. Once an application has been selected, the
process must be completed prior to aid disbursement.
Authority for the school to collect any necessary verification
information is provided through the FAFSA signature process. By
signing the FAFSA, students and/or parents "agree, if asked, to provide
information that will verify the accuracy of your completed form.
This information may include U.S. or state income tax forms that you
filed or are required to file." (2007-2008 Application and
Verification Guide, USDOE)
Notification Process
Students selected for the verification process will be notified in
two ways:
1. Following FAFSA processing, each student is provided with a
Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR for selected applications will
include the following comment:
"Your FAFSA has been selected for a review process called
verification. Your school has the authority to request copies of
certain financial documents from you and your parent(s)/spouse."
2. Students selected for verification will also receive an
official notification and request letter from the SUNY ESF Office of
Financial Aid and Scholarships. This letter will alert the
student of his or her selection status and specify the requested
information.
Verification Results
If the school finds evidence of any intentional discrepancies in a student's application data, it may refer the file to the United States Department of Education for further review. This step could result in legal action against the student, spouse, and/or parent(s).
Required Information
Different information will be requested based on each student's
dependency status, as determined by federal regulations. The
Student Aid Report (SAR) will identify each student as either dependent
or independent. Please note that dependency status is not a
choice for the student.
Dependent
Students
Dependent students who are selected for verification will need to
submit the following to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships:
1. Student's Federal Tax Return - Signed Copy
(2007 taxes are required for the 2008-2009 school year)
2. Student's W-2 Statements - Copies
of all student W-2 statements used to complete the tax return
3. Parent(s)' Federal Tax Return - Signed
Copy (2007 taxes are required for the 2008-2009 school
year)
4. Parent(s)' W-2 Statements - Copies
of all parent W-2 statements used to complete the tax return
5. Dependent Student
Verification Worksheet - Completed
and Signed
Independent Students
Independent students who are selected for verification will need to
submit the following to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships:
1. Student's Federal Tax Return - Signed
Copy (2007 taxes are required for the 2008-2009 school
year)
2. Student's W-2 Statements - Copies
of all student W-2 statements used to complete the tax return
3. Spouse's (if applicable) Federal Tax Return - Signed
Copy (2007 taxes are required for the 2008-2009 school
year)
4. Spouse's (if applicable) W-2 Statements - Copies
of all student W-2 statements used to complete the tax return
5. Independent Student
Verification Worksheet - Completed and Signed
Last updated on May 6, 2008
