You might see a note on your Student Aid Report saying you've been selected for verification; or the Financial Aid Office might contact you to inform you that you've been selected. Verification is a process which requires the school to collect documentation to check the accuracy of the FAFSA information you submitted.

If you're selected for verification, don't assume you're being accused of doing anything wrong. If you are selected for verification, you are not alone! About 30% of all FAFSA filers are selected for the verification process. All you need to do is provide the documentation the Financial Aid Office asks for by the school's deadline, or you won't be able to get financial aid.

The Financial Aid Office suggests you submit your information by June 15, 2015. If you cannot submit the information by this time please submit the requested information as soon as possible.

Per IRS Publication 501 you are required to file if:

1. No one has claimed you as an exemption on a 2015 tax return. Please click to view the IRS chart.
2. Someone has claimed you as an exemption on a 2015 tax return. Please click to view the IRS chart.

You will need to submit the 2015 Tax Return Transcript to verify your tax information submitted on your 16-17 FAFSA. As of June 2012 we can no longer accept a signed 1040 Tax Form to verify your tax information.

An example of the forms accepted and not accepted.

You can obtain the tax return transcript by printing off a free copy at WWW.IRS.GOV or if you are not given the option to print out a copy you may request a copy by phone or mail. One other option is to update the 16-17 or the 17-18 FAFSA with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer tax information to the FAFSA. A Tax Return Transcript will not be needed if the transfer is successful. You will need to notify the Financial Aid Office if the FAFSA is updated with the tax information. (For more information on this please view "What is the Data Retrieval Tool and how can I use it?")

How to obtain a request by mail

The IRS data retrieval tool is available for online FAFSA submittals and is accessible through the FAFSA website www.fafsa.gov. The retrieval tool allows FAFSA applicants and parents to transfer their income tax information from the IRS to the FAFSA. You will need to be eligible to use this option.

You are eligible to use the Data Retrieval Tool if:

1. The student and or parent has filed an electronic tax return–data should be available within 2-3 weeks of filing.
2. The student and or parent has filed a paper tax return–data should be available within 6-8 weeks of filing.

Who is not eligible to use the Data Retrieval Tool?

1. Married couples who file separate tax returns.
2. Tax filers whose marital status has changed as of January 1, 2016.
3. Tax filers who are neither eligible nor required to file a 2015 Federal Tax Return.
4. Tax filers who have filed a tax extension 4868.
5. Tax filer who have amended their tax return.
6. Tax filers who are victims of Identity Theft.
   • If you are eligible to use the Data Retrieval Tool you can log on to the 16-17 FAFSA.
   • Tab over to financial information > click Link to IRS > click on ok.
   • It will direct to you to the IRS Data Retrieval page. Then you will need to add the address information as listed on the 2015 tax return, check the box Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA then click transfer now.

IRS Retrieval Tool Tutorial 

You will need to notify the Financial Aid Office if the FAFSA is updated with the tax information.

You can submit a W2 Wage and Income Transcript. This transcript will list any earned income you had for the year.

How to order a W2 Wage and Income Transcript

4506 Form

Your account can still be completed if you cannot submit a 2015 Return Transcript or use the Data Retrieval Tool. You will need to speak to a Financial Aid Advisor over the phone or in person to find out what you will need to submit to complete the requirement.

For the 16-17 term you will need to submit the original 2015 tax return transcript and the 2015 IRS form 1040X, this form must include a physical signature. For the 17-18 term only a signed 1040X will be required. The 1040X will need to include the original and corrected tax figures, and the reason why it was amended on page 2 part III - Explanation of changes.

Example of a 1040x

Your account can still be completed if you cannot submit a 2015 Return Transcript or use the Data Retrieval Tool. You will need to speak to a Financial Aid Advisor over the phone or in person to find out what you will need to submit to complete the requirement.

You are a qualifying veteran for financial aid purposes if you now satisfy (or will satisfy by June 30) the following criteria:

• You have engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or
• are a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes, or
• were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies.
• You were released under a condition other than dishonorable.

Are you a qualifying veteran? If you meet the criteria as a veteran for financial aid purposes:

Submit a copy of your Member -4 version (long form) of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing the Character of Service, which is needed to confirm that you were released under a condition other than dishonorable.

Are you currently on active duty? If you are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training, then your FAFSA has an error that must be corrected.

Submit documentation from your military unit that verifies your active duty status, such as a copy of your orders documenting current active duty status, a copy of your LES statement, or a signed letter from your commanding officer indicating your current active duty status.

Are you neither a veteran nor on active duty? If you do not meet any of the above-listed conditions and you cannot document your Active Duty or Veteran status, you must include your parent's income and asset information on your FAFSA, correct questions 48 & 49, and submit these changes to the federal processor at www.fafsa.gov. Be sure both you and at least one parent sign the FAFSA/Student Aid Report.