Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial Aid Verification Process

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. Verification requirements will also be listed in the Financial Aid Requirements section of the MyESF Portal. Students are advised to review their list of requirements in the notification e-mail sent when an aid package is first created or amended.

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 E-Mail to inform the student that the new financial aid information should be reviewed through the Self-Service Portal.

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 and verification tracking group, as determined by federal regulations. The Student Aid Report (SAR) will identify each student as either dependent or independent and specify the tracking group. Please note that dependency status is not a choice for the student.

Dependent Students

Dependent students who are selected for verification will need to complete the following steps:

1. Students and parents who filed federal taxes - Verify Tax Data (use ONE of the following three options):

Provide consent for electronic data exchange of tax information while completing the FAFSA. Most students and parents will have already used this option as providing consent is required in order to submit the aid application. If consent was not able to provided or did not properly import the needed tax data, one of the other options may need to be used.
Submit IRS Tax Return Transcript for both the student and the parent(s) - these can be obtained online at http://www.irs.gov or by phone at 1-800-908-9946 or 1-800-829-1040
Submit a signed copy of the Federal Tax Return and applicable schedules that were submitted to the IRS for both the student and the parent(s).

2. Parents who did not file federal taxes - Provide proof of income from work and proof of non-filing status (complete BOTH of the following two steps):

If the parent(s) are not required to file a federal tax return but had income from work in copies of all W-2 statements must be submitted.
If the parent(s) are not required to file a federal tax return, that status must be verified. In most cases this will be confirmed if the parent provided consent for data transfer while completing the FAFSA. If not successful, this can be done by submitting an IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter, available online through the IRS Get Transcript service. If unable to use the online service, non-filers will need to complete Form 4506-T with box 7 checked and mail it to the IRS. Once received, the verification letter must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office.

3. Submit a fully completed and signed verification worksheet. If unsure of your verification tracking group please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships:

Independent Students

Independent students who are selected for verification will need to complete the following steps:

1. Students and spouses (if married) who filed federal taxes - Verify Tax Data (use ONE of the following three options):

Provide consent for electronic data exchange of tax information while completing the FAFSA. Most students and parents will have already used this option as providing consent is required in order to submit the aid application. If consent was not able to be provided or did not properly import the needed tax data, one of the other options may need to be used.
Submit IRS Tax Return Transcript for the student and spouse (if married) - these can be obtained online at http://www.irs.gov or by phone at 1-800-908-9946 or 1-800-829-1040
Submit a signed copy of the Federal Tax Return and applicable schedules that were submitted to the IRS for both the student and the spouse.

2. Students and spouses (if married) who did not file federal taxes - Provide proof of income from work and proof of non-filing status (complete BOTH of the following two steps):

If either the student or the spouse (if married) are not required to file a federal tax return but had income from work, copies of all W-2 statements must be submitted.
If either the student or the spouse (if married) are not required to file a federal tax return, proof of non-filing status must be submitted. In most cases this will be confirmed if the student/spouse provided consent for data transfer while completing the FAFSA. If not successful, this can be done by submitting an IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter, available online through the IRS Get Transcript service. If unable to use the online service, non-filers will need to complete Form 4506-Twith box 7 checked and mail it to the IRS. Once received, the verification letter must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office.

3. Submit a fully completed and signed verification worksheet.

If unsure of your verification tracking group please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships:

Last updated on March 05, 2025

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Financial Aid Verification Process