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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." (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

In most cases, the school will automatically correct any errors found during the verification process.  Students will be notified of these changes with a new Student Aid Report (SAR), which will be created at the time corrections are made.  If verification corrections result in a change to the student's financial aid package, SUNY ESF will send an amended Financial Aid Notification Letter with the updated information.

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 (2010 taxes are required for the 2011-2012 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 (2010 taxes are required for the 2011-2012 school year)

4.  Parent(s)' W-2 Statements - Copies of all parent W-2 statements used to complete the tax return

5.  2011-2012 Dependent Student Verification Worksheet - Completed and Signed (For 2010-2011 year worksheet click here)

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 (2010 taxes are required for the 2011-2012 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 (2010 taxes are required for the 2011-2012 school year)

4.  Spouse's (if applicable) W-2 Statements - Copies of all student W-2 statements used to complete the tax return

5.  2011-2012 Independent Student Verification Worksheet - Completed and Signed (For 2010-2011 year worksheet click here)

Last updated on April 8, 2011