FAFSA Verification Documentation
If you are selected for verification, don’t panic. Verification is simply a process to confirm the data listed on your FAFSA is accurate. There are two items that you need: a verification form and your tax information.
The verification form is electronic, easy to use and secure. It is located in the Financial Aid Dashboard. Access to the form is limited to admitted students only. Within the verification form, you can also upload your tax information. To satisfy the tax information requirement, we will ask you for:
- W-2’s, 1099's
- Federal tax return and schedules or tax transcripts,
- Or a non-filing letter from the IRS.
If you are a dependent student, your parent will also be required to electronically sign the form and submit their tax information. To access the form, your parent will need to create an account with Dynamic Forms and follow the instructions provided in the email they receive.
Uploading your tax information into the verification form is not optional. This is for your protection. When you upload your tax information, please note that we only accept it three ways.
Ways to Provide Your Tax Return Information
Students and contributors are required to use the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) to transfer tax information from the IRS to the FAFSA or to confirm non-filing status. Contributors cannot manually enter their FTI on the FAFSA.
If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool provided through the FAFSA, you can get a Tax Return Transcript directly from the IRS and submit it to our office. There are several options for ordering a Tax Return Transcript; most are offered through the IRS website.
Once you are on the IRS website, you can find information about ordering a Tax Return Transcript by clicking on "Get Transcript Online" under the Tools section on the homepage. Be sure to order a Tax Return Transcript (not a Tax Account Transcript) for the necessary documentation.
If you have ordered a federal Tax Return Transcript and are experiencing difficulties receiving it in a timely manner, you may want to locate an IRS office near you, and call them for further help.
IRS Tax Transcript Submission
All tax transcripts that are sent to our office must include the student's name and Student ID on each page of the transcript. Where applicable, the parent or spouse's name should also be written on the tax transcript in addition to the student's name and Student ID. Without this information, our office cannot identify the owner of the tax transcript or document that we have received the transcript.
To be sure your Tax Return Transcript is submitted correctly, please review the Form and Document Submission Guidelines.
Important Note: Effective June 28, 2019, the IRS will no longer fax transcripts to tax filers or third-parties. The IRS no longer mails tax transcripts to third-parties as requested on Form 4506, Form 4506-T and Form 4506T-EZ. Please visit IRS.gov for alternative options.
You may submit a signed copy of your federal tax return and all requested schedules. To ensure your federal tax return is submitted correctly, please review the Form and Document Submission Guidelines. Please note that this is subject to change.
If you filed an amended tax return, a signed copy of your original federal tax return (1040) and your amended federal tax return (1040X) is needed. There are times when the IRS files an amended return on your behalf. In this case, submit the letter you received from the IRS about the amendment.
April 1 Deadline and Awarding
Our office begins awarding aid in early April. To prevent missing out on any limited funding sources, verification must be complete. This means your requirements on the Financial Aid Dashboard must be satisfied by April 1. If you do miss the deadline, be sure to satisfy your requirements as soon as possible.
Occasionally, students are selected for verification after they have been awarded. If this happens, your aid will be placed on hold until verification is done.