Selected for FAFSA verification: what to do

Verification is how your school confirms that what you reported on your FAFSA form is accurate. You might see a note on your FAFSA Submission Summary saying you’ve been selected, or your school might contact you.

Your school asks for documents that support what you reported. The list comes from your school, so follow its request rather than a list from anywhere else.

In most cases you won’t have to verify income and tax information. If you’re selected, though, the school may ask for a tax transcript or other documents to confirm what you reported.

Send what your school asks for by the school’s deadline. If you don’t, you won’t be able to get federal student aid. The deadline is set by your school, so check its message or your school portal for the date.

1. Read the school’s request and note its deadline.
2. Gather each document it lists, and ask someone early if any are theirs.
3. Send them the way the school asks (often its own portal), and keep a copy.
4. If something is unclear or you can’t get a document in time, contact the financial aid office before the deadline.

Not sure what to say? How to talk to the financial aid office.

Your school’s request will say whose documents it needs. If it asks for a parent’s or spouse’s documents, ask them early, and send them the parent checklist so they know their part.

Send documents only to your school, the way it asks. Never give your StudentAid.gov username or password to anyone, and be wary of anyone who charges a fee to “handle” verification for you.

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• How to fill out the FAFSA
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