Verification

for law students

What is Verification?

Verification is a process where the College double-checks the information you submitted on your financial aid application materials. The Federal Student Aid processing center or Lewis & Clark can select students for Verification.

How do I know if I’ve been selected?

• After filing your FAFSA, you should have received a Student Aid Report (SAR).  Review your SAR carefully - if you were selected for Verification it may be indicated on the report.
• If your financial aid award notification indicates that Verification is required, you’ve been selected.
• We may send you letters and/or emails telling you to complete Verification. Please open and read all correspondence from us, then respond in a timely manner.

What information do I need to submit?

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.

For the 2012-13 academic year:

• Signed copy of your 2011 federal tax return
• Your 2011 W-2 form(s)
• Your spouse’s 2011 W-2 form(s), if married
• 2012-13 Independent Verification Worksheet

*Tax return NOT required if you used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to populate income information on your FAFSA.

When do I complete Verification?

Incoming students: All required documents should be submitted as soon as they are available, but no later than April 15.

Continuing students: All required documents should be submitted as soon as they are available, but no later than May 1.

Verification Changes

We are required to make corrections to inaccurate information discovered through the verification process and to use the verified information in determining a student’s eligibility for financial aid. Corrections to a student’s aid application information may cause a change in eligibility and result in a revised award notification.

What happens if I don’t complete Verification in a timely manner?

Offers of financial aid will not be finalized nor will any funds disburse to your student account if Verification is required but incomplete. Failure to complete Verification may also result in the cancellation of your financial aid.