Verification

From UConn Student Financial Aid Services

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Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, FEDERAL TAX RETURNS WILL NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED A VALID FORM OF DOCUMENTATION (this excludes foreign tax returns). Instead, applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool as a means of completing their application. In instances where this is not possible, and the use of financial documentation is necessary to complete verification, ONLY IRS Tax Transcripts requested directly from the IRS will be accepted as documentation. IRS Tax Transcripts may be requested by phone, by mail, or online at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=232168,00.html

Do NOT submit IRS Tax Transcripts to our office unless specifically requested to do so.


Contents

What is verification?

Verification is a process in which information on a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is reviewed by a school for accuracy and completeness. Each year, the federal Department of Education selects a percentage of all Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA’s) received each year for verification. The verification process requires the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) to confirm the data supplied by the applicant and/or parent(s). 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. If your FAFSA is selected for verification, immediately submit all requested documentation to our office for review. Any Delay in providing required documents to complete the federally mandated verification process may impact your financial aid award package.

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. The SAR is typically accessed via a link sent to you by the Department of Education after you file your FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, there will be an asterisk* next to your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) figure on your SAR.

You will also receive notification via Huskymail 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. Graduate students may be notified by mail if a UConn email address is not yet available.

Do NOT send any financial documentation unless requested to do so by our office. UConn only verifies the FAFSA information of selected students or in special cases when inconsistent information is found. However, the Office of Student Financial Aid Services must review all information in its possession, even for students not selected for verification. This could result in unnecessary delays in the packaging or disbursement of your financial aid.

Why was I selected for verification?

Many students selected for verification are chosen randomly. However, you are more likely to be selected for verification if the data you provided on the FAFSA was inconsistent, if the FAFSA you submitted was incomplete, or if your FAFSA contained estimated information.

If I am selected for verification, what do I need to do?

If your FAFSA was selected, participation in the verification process is not optional and must occur before receiving federal student financial aid. You must submit the required documentation to verify the information on your FAFSA. Do not send verification documentation to UConn unless you have been selected and only send in verification documentation that is requested.

During the process of verification, new or additional information may be required in order to clarify any inconsistencies. The Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) will contact you via Huskymail if clarification is needed. It is important to submit any additionally requested documentation immediately.

Per new regulations, the OSFAS can no longer accept copies of signed tax returns for verification purposes. Therefore, if tax and income data are requested, we will require you either update your FAFSA application by using the IRS Data Retrieval tool on the FAFSA website or provide us with an official tax return transcript. You can obtain a free federal tax return transcript directly from the IRS by requesting one online, calling 1-800-908-9946, or by completing and mailing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, selecting the “Return Transcript” option. Further information about IRS tax return transcripts can be found at www.IRS.gov.

Verification will be completed when all required information is received by the OSFAS. Your financial aid will not show as anticipated or be disbursed until all submitted documentation has been verified by the OSFAS, and the Department of Education has received and accepted any changes to the original FAFSA data.

The required documentation is listed below.


Dependent Students Selected for the 2012-2013 School Year

  • A completed 2012-2013 Verification Worksheet signed by both student and parent (if requested)

ONLY FOR NON-FILERS: If you and/or your parent(s) did not and will not file federal income tax returns for the 2011 year, be sure that the 2012-2013 Verification Worksheet is fully completed. Copies of your W2 forms (if applicable) are also required.

Independent Students Selected for the 2012-2013 School Year

ONLY FOR NON-FILERS: If you and/or your spouse did not and will not file federal income tax returns for the 2011 year, be sure that the 2012-2013 Verification Worksheet is fully completed. Copies of your W2 forms (if applicable) are also required.

NOTE: Students and parents who use the IRS Data Retrieval tool within the online FAFSA for 2012-2013, and who do not change the information imported within it, are exempted from submitting the tax transcripts.


Dependent Students Selected for the 2011-2012 School Year

  • Signed copies of student and parent(s)’ 2010 federal tax return
  • A 2011-2012 Verification Worksheet (Dependent Student) signed by both student and parent

Independent Students Selected for the 2011-2012 School Year

  • Signed copies of student and spouse 2010 federal tax return
  • A signed Verification Worksheet (Independent Student)

NOTE: Students and parents who elect to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool tool within the online FAFSA for 2011-2012, and who do not change the information imported within it, are exempted from submitting the tax return.

When do I need to submit the verification documents?

In general, the Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) will not award Federal Title IV or need-based institutional aid until the verification process has been completed. Thus it is extremely important for students to send in the required documentation as soon as possible, as many forms of aid are limited and awarded on first-come, first-served basis. Ann exception is made for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Financial aid for new incoming students is based on FAFSA results, but these awards are considered estimates until any required verification process is completed.

Students selected for verification after initial financial aid packaging should adhere to the verification deadlines posted by the OSFAS via your University email account and http://financialaid.uconn.edu. Failure to comply with deadlines may result in cancellation of financial aid awards. If the Office of Student Financial Aid Services does not receive all required verification documents by November 1st, financial aid previously awarded may be canceled.

Remember, students should NOT send in documentation unless they receive specific requests from the OSFAS or through the Student Administration System.

Will my financial aid change due to verification?

During the verification process, information is compared to the original data on the FAFSA and corrections may be made. These corrections may lower or raise the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) figure. Because financial need is determined by the EFC, aid eligibility may be impacted when changes occur during the verification process.

If the verification process is completed after a student is initially awarded financial aid, changes to the original aid package may occur. The Office of Student Financial Aid Services will notify you of any changes to aid via your University email account and the Student Administration system.

In some cases, when financial aid has already been disbursed but the EFC increases after a late verification process, certain forms of aid must be returned to the Department of Education. Students who owe a refund of federal student aid may be ineligible for additional Title IV aid and/or may be considered in default status. .

Will being selected for verification prevent my aid from disbursing?

Your financial aid will not show as anticipated on your fee bill or be disbursed until you have submitted all requested documents and the information has been verified by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services. In addition, the Department of Education must receive and accept changes to the original FAFSA information prior to disbursement.

How can I be considered to receive the maximum amount of aid each year?

Financial aid packages are based upon many factors, including financial need, available funding, federal and state regulations, and UConn policies. However, there are ways you can help yourself get access to the most aid possible.

In Order to Maximize Your Financial Aid:

  • File your FAFSA each year before UConn’s March 1st deadline. If needed, use estimated income/asset information in order to meet the deadline.
  • If your FAFSA is selected for verification, immediately submit all requested documentation to our office for review.
  • Complete your income tax returns as quickly as possible. File electronically.
  • Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool if possible when submitting or updating your FAFSA. Information for tax returns submitted online may be available for IRS Data Retrieval within 2 weeks.
  • Be sure all documents you submit to our office are completed in full and signed.
  • Be sure your name and Student ID number are on all pages you submit.
  • Keep legible copies of all information you submit, and record the date and time you sent in the documents.
  • Submit documents by secure fax to (860) 486-6629.
  • If you need a federal tax return transcript, request one directly from the IRS online, call 1-800-908-9946, or complete and mail Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, selecting the “Return Transcript” option.
  • Check your University email account frequently. All requests for information and changes to your financial aid package will be communicated via your University email account.
  • Regularly check your financial aid status through the Student Administration System.

Avoid These Common Mistakes:

  • Forgetting to complete your FAFSA by UConn’s March 1st deadline will result in a “late” application. Some forms of aid require “on-time” applications.
  • Don’t forget to sign the online FAFSA with your PIN. (Parents too!)
  • Assuming you’ve submitted your FAFSA without double-checking is risky. Ensure that your FAFSA has been submitted successfully via the confirmation page.
  • Once you receive the link to your Student Aid Report, verify that the information is correct and check your EFC.
  • Delays in submitting verification documents can be costly, because many forms of aid have limited funding and are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
  • Signed federal tax returns are no longer accepted forms of documentation for verification for the 2012-2013 school year. If directed to provide documentation of tax return information, students and parents should utilize the IRS Data Retrieval tool to update the FAFSA – OR- submit official IRS tax return transcripts to our office.
  • If you submit incomplete or illegible documents, they will be returned to you with a request for acceptable forms. This will cause delays in processing your aid.
  • Sending copies of forms with information covered up by another form will result in a request for a legible form. This will cause delays in processing your aid as well.
  • Submitting documentation not requested by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services may result in delays in processing your application for aid.
  • Forgetting to sign your required forms will also cause delays.
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