Were you selected for verification?

Each year, many need-based financial aid applicants are required to complete a process called verification in order to finalize their awards and receive funds.

How to tell if you’ve been selected:

• After filing your FAFSA, a Student Aid Report (SAR) is sent to you. If it indicates you’ve been selected, you will need to submit verification documents to our office.
• We may send you a letter or email if you’ll be required to submit verification materials. Please read correspondence from our office and respond promptly.
• If you receive a financial aid award that is marked as estimated and “VERIFICATION REQUIRED,” you’ve been selected! Your award is subject to change and funds will not be disbursed until the verification process is complete.

The verification process - instructions for:

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students
• Law students

SPECIAL ALERT:  As of April 16, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education announced that signed copies of 2011 federal tax returns may be accepted for verification purposes. This recent change was implemented in response to unexpected difficulties in obtaining Tax Return Transcripts and/or using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in a timely manner and is only in effect until July 15, 2012.

Verification due dates:

• Incoming 1st-year and transfer students: April 15, 2012
• Continuing students: May 1, 2012