What is verification?
Verification is the process in which the information you reported on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is verified to be correct. The Federal Processor may select students for verification because of missing or incorrect information on the FAFSA or by random selection. Oakland Community College will request certain financial documents from a student who is selected for verification. These documents may include tax forms (1040’s), W2’s, Asset Statements, Bank Statements, and any other income documentation. Oakland Community College will then compare these documents with the information you reported on your FAFSA and make any necessary correction(s).
The Federal Government randomly selects applications for verification as they are submitted. It is then the school’s responsibility to request copies of taxes and other information to verify that the data reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accurate. Errors must be corrected and sent to the Federal processor. Eligibility for financial aid can change due to verification.
A. About 35 percent of all FAFSA records are selected for verification. If you are selected, the Financial Aid Office will send you a worksheet to complete and request that you also send copies of your tax return and W-2s for all parties you included in your income information on the FAFSA. The Financial Aid Office completes the verification process by comparing the figures on the tax documents with what you reported on the FAFSA and makes corrections or updates where necessary. If you have already received an award before verification is complete, a revised award may be sent.
You may be selected as a verification student. This means that the U.S. Department of Education has flagged your file and your Financial Aid Officer will be requesting additional information to confirm data reported on your FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, you will be notified in writing of the additional documents that will be required to complete your file. Once the accuracy of your file is confirmed, an award letter will be release. Changes to your file may result in a change of your financial aid award. To avoid delays in processing of the financial aid file students must ensure timely response to all requests for information.
The federal government requires each college or university to verify, or confirm, the data reported by students and their parent(s) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Kent State Universitys Student Financial Aid Office is a member of the Department of Educations Quality Assurance Program. Therefore, the Student Financial Aid Office selects approximately 15% of its students for the Verification process based on our own pre-determined criteria. The Verification process ensures that eligible students receive all the financial aid they are entitled to and it prevents ineligible students from receiving aid they are not entitled to.
