Verification
From UConn Student Financial Aid Services
Contents |
What is verification
The federal Central Processing System (CPS) selects approximately 30% of the applications received each year for verification, a process that requires the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) to confirm the data supplied by the applicant and/or parent(s) on the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA).
How will I know if I am selected for verification?
Your Student Aid Report (SAR) will indicate whether or not your file has been selected for verification. If you are selected for verification by the federal processor, there will be an asterisk next to your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your SAR. You will also receive an email from the Office of Student Financial Aid Services alerting you to check the Student Administration System to determine what additional documentation you will be required to submit before your financial aid application will be processed.
Why was I selected for verification?
The main reasons for being selected for verification include that you were chosen randomly, the FAFSA you submitted was incomplete, your FAFSA contains estimated information, or the data you provided on the FAFSA is inconsistent.
If I am selected for verification, am I required to send additional documentation?
Yes. Participation in the verification process is not optional. Verification is a federal regulation.
If you are selected for verification for 2009-2010, the following documents are required:
Dependent Students
- Signed copies of student and parent(s)’ 2008 federal tax return (including all schedules)
- Parents’ 2008 W-2 forms
- A signed 2009-2010 Verification Worksheet (Dependent Student)
Independent Students
- Signed copies of student and spouse 2008 federal tax return (including all schedules)
- Student and spouse 2008 W-2 forms
- A signed 2009-2010 Verification Worksheet (Independent Student).
During the process of verification, new or additional information may be required in order to clarify any inconsistencies. It is important to submit any requested documentation immediately. If you do not have copies of your tax documents please contact the IRS. You can obtain a transcript by calling 1-800-829–1040 or by completing and mailing Form 4506-T (PDF), Request for Transcript of Tax Return.
DO NOT SEND any financial documentation, such as tax returns, unless requested to do so by our office.
Your financial aid package may be revised after the documentation is reviewed. Continuing students who are selected for verification will not receive a financial aid award package until ALL requested information is received and reviewed. Funding is limited and financial aid is awarded on a first come first served basis. If the information requested by our office is not submitted early enough, the student may miss an opportunity for financial aid funds that become depleted as the awarding cycle continues.
Your financial aid cannot be disbursed until you have submitted all requested documents and the information has been reviewed.
To be considered for the maximum amount of aid each year:
Do
- File your FAFSA each year on or before our March 1st deadline.
- Upon notification, immediately submit all requested documentation to our office for review.
- Be sure all documents are signed.
- Be sure your name and Student ID number are on all documents you submit.
- Keep legible photocopies of all information you submit and record the date you send in the documents.
- Submit documents by fax to (860) 486-6629
- Call the IRS at 1 (800) 829-1040 if you need copies of your IRS forms.
- Check your email frequently. All requests for information and changes to your financial aid package will be communicated via HuskyMail.
- Regularly check your financial aid status through the Student Administration System.
Do not
- Submit incomplete or illegible documents. If you do, they will be returned to you with a request for acceptable forms, causing a delay in processing your aid.
- Submit photocopies of income tax forms with information covered up by another form.
- Submit any documentation unless requested by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS).
- Forget to sign your forms.
Although the University cannot determine who will be selected for verification each year, students should anticipate selection, and compile the documents required to complete the verification process, in order to immediately respond to our office’s request to supply them. Delay in supplying the documents required to complete the federally mandated verification process may impact your financial aid award package.
