Verification is the process of checking the data you reported on the FAFSA against actual Federal income tax return transcripts and statements documenting household size, number in college, and untaxed income. The Federal processor selects student FAFSA results for verification. Students are notified in the cover letter of their Student Aid Report (SAR) that they have been selected for review and an asterisk is placed next to the Student Aid Index (SAI) number on the front page of the SAR.

If you were selected for review, realize this is a common process. Its goal is to maintain an accurate and fair need analysis. Respond promptly to your school's request for a Verification Worksheet and other data. Failure to provide data will result in delays. No aid will be disbursed until completion of the verification process and proper submission of additional forms for federal loans, federal grants, or other federal aid.

Students are responsible for payment of tuition by the payment deadline regardless of the status of the verification process. Financial aid will not defer tuition payments if the student has outstanding requirements that are not satisfied.

Verification is the process of confirming the information reported on your FAFSA using official federal income tax return data and documentation related to household size, number in college, and untaxed income. Students selected for verification are notified through their Student Aid Report (SAR).

CSN partners with ProEd, an external verification service, to complete most verification reviews. However, some specific verification groups are reviewed directly by CSN. If your file is assigned to ProEd, you will receive instructions from them by email. It is important to monitor your email and respond promptly.

Verification is a standard federal requirement and does not mean there is an issue with your application. Financial aid cannot be disbursed until the verification process is complete and all required documentation and forms for grants, loans, or other aid have been submitted and approved.
Please note that students are responsible for paying tuition by the published deadline, even if verification is still in progress. Financial aid will not defer tuition charges if verification requirements have not been completed and the student has been awarded eligible aid.

• Tax Return Transcripts
• Signed 1040 - if a student is unable to obtain a tax return transcript
• Verification of Non Filing letter from IRS along with W-2’s ( if no income was earned student will need to submit that in writing)
• If unable to obtain a non-filing letter- the student must indicate that they will not and are not required to file taxes for the tax year in questions by submitting a signed statement
• W-2s - if a return was not filed but income was earned
• IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) - The IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) automatically transfers your tax return income information from the IRS website directly into your FAFSA.  Both parents and students can use it. It is quick and easy and can be completed within minutes! Please note, once the income information has been transferred, you will not be able to view the IRS information/amounts.

Step by Step Instructions for Using the DRT

ONLINE: Visit www.irs.gov. Choose between Get Transcript Online or Get Transcript by Mail.

PHONE: Call 1-800-908-9946.

PAPER: Complete an IRS Form 4506-T, available at www.irs.gov, and submit it to the IRS as indicated on the form. The form must be mailed to the IRS to request a transcript. Once processed they will mail the tax return transcript to you. * If you have never filed an IRS tax return, you will need to use the PAPER option above to obtain an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter.

Requesting a Transcript Tutorial

Signed 1040 - If you or your parents cannot use the DRT and cannot obtain a tax return transcript from the IRS, please submit a signed copy of the filer’s 1040 federal income tax return, including all schedules, statements, and W-2 forms.

Amended Tax Returns - For individuals who have filed an amended return, additional information is needed for verification purposes. Please note, the IRS Tax Return Transcript only shows the information submitted on the original return and does not reflect changes made by the amendment. Therefore the following items are required:

• Original IRS Tax Return Transcript (can also accept original signed 1040)\
• Tax Account Transcript
• A signed copy of the individual's 1040X-Amended Return

Amended Tax Returns

Non-U.S. Tax Filers

Before submitting, foreign tax returns must be translated into English and amounts converted to U.S. Dollars.  Convert all monetary units to U.S. dollars using the published exchange rate for the date you completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit the Federal Reserve website to view the daily and past exchange rates.

Victims of Identity Theft

When the IRS determines a tax filer has been or likely was a victim of identity theft, it will not allow him to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA or get a tax return transcript until the matter has been resolved, which can take up to a year for complex cases.

An individual who is the victim of identity theft and cannot get a return transcript must contact the IRS's Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) at 1-800-908-4490. After the IPSU authenticates the tax filer's identity, they can ask the IRS to mail them an alternate paper tax return transcript known as the TRDBV (Transcript Database View). Please complete a Statement of Identity Theft and submit it along with a copy of the TRDBV in place of a tax return transcript.

What is Identity Theft?