Step 5 - Verification Process

WHAT IS VERIFICATION?

Verification uses documentation to confirm that the information provided on a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is correct. The federal government requires colleges and universities to verify, or confirm, the data reported by students and their parent(s) on the FAFSA.  In this process, Carroll College will be comparing information from the FAFSA with unaltered IRS data via the IRS Data Retrieval tool (if applicable) and/or copies of the student (and parent's) Federal tax return transcripts, W-2 forms or other financial documents as well as educational records (if necessary). The law requires the college to verify this information before awarding Federal financial aid. The verification process ensures that eligible students receive all the federal financial aid to which they are entitled and prevents ineligible students from receiving financial aid for which they do not qualify.

Process

If your Student Aid Report (FAFSA results) indicates you were selected for verification and you have not yet submitted the following to the Carroll College Financial Aid Office, you must:

Download either the DEPENDENT STUDENT VERIFICATION WORKSHEET or the INDEPENDENT STUDENT VERIFICATION WORKSHEET, complete and return to the Carroll College Financial Aid Office. 

Submit unaltered IRS Data directly from the IRS. The IRS Data Retrieval process (available late February, 2013), will enable Title IV student aid applicants and parents of dependent applicants to transfer certain tax return information from an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website directly into their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web application. If IRS Data Retrieval was not utilized on the original FAFSA, make a correction at www.fafsa.gov or send a copy of the student and (parent's, if dependent) 2012 Federal income tax return transcript to the Carroll College Financial Aid Office. Applicants cannot use Data Retrieval if:

  • Parents are married filing separately
  • Parents are married filing head of household
  • If an amended return is filed
  • If filing a Puerto Rican or foreign tax return

Applicants unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval process or those who have altered IRS data MUST request a tax return transcript from the IRS.

Federal tax return transcripts may be requested by completing the IRS 4506TEZ Transcript Request Form (you may opt to have the transcript sent directly to Carroll by selecting this option on the form), or by calling the IRS at 1-800-908-9946, or via the IRS website at:  IRS.gov and click on "Order a Transcript."  There is no charge for transcript requests.  Please allow five to ten business days for delivery of your order online or by phone. 

If the student, parent and/or spouse did not file and are not required to file a federal tax return in 2012, copies of IRS Form W-2 (from all employers) must be submitted to show proof of earnings. 

Timeline

All verification documents should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid prior to the start of the semester. Failure to do so can result in a delay in disbursing federal and institutional need-based aid.

Verification must be completed no later than 14 days prior to the end of the first semester of enrollment. Failure to complete verification will result in the cancellation of all federal and institutional need-based aid. In addition:

  • No federal loan(s) will be released until verification is completed.
  • Students employed under the federal work-study program cannot work more than 60 consecutive days from the beginning of the semester without completing verification.

Carroll College must review the requested information under the financial aid program rules (34 CFR, Part 668).

Questions?

Please contact us at .

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