{"id":26,"date":"2020-01-16T13:21:08","date_gmt":"2020-01-16T18:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transy.edu\/financial-aid\/?page_id=26"},"modified":"2024-04-18T13:04:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T17:04:02","slug":"verification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.transy.edu\/financial-aid\/basics-of-financial-aid\/fafsa\/verification\/","title":{"rendered":"Verification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is Verification?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Verification is a process required by the federal government intended to improve the accuracy of the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  About one out of every three FAFSA filers is selected for this process.  If your FAFSA is selected for verification, we cannot process financial aid for you until you provide us with the required information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will I know if my FAFSA has been selected for Verification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be notified during the FAFSA filing process via your Student Aid Report<\/a>.  We will also send you a letter in the mail containing a list of the information we need from you, instructions for completing the required steps, and any required forms you need to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why was my FAFSA selected?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re not completely sure.  The U.S. Department of Education uses a formula, which they do not share with colleges or universities, to select FAFSAs based on common data errors.  We do know that avoiding common errors<\/a> and using the IRS data retrieval tool to provide tax return information are likely to reduce your odds of being selected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We strongly recommend you transfer your tax return information electronically from the IRS to your FAFSA.  You can do this when you initially complete the FAFSA or later by returning to your FAFSA and making a correction.  Here\u2019s a quick video<\/a> about how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if the IRS Data Retrieval Tool doesn\u2019t work for me?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It happens sometimes.  You may have amended your tax return or your parents may be married, but filed separate tax returns.  Alternatively, you can provide us with a tax return transcript.  There are four ways you can request a copy of your or your parents\u2019 tax return transcript:<\/p>\n\n\n\n