What is Verification?

Verification is a process through which the institution verifies the information you reported on your FAFSA. The Department of Education (DOE) require all institutions to perform verification on all applicants who were selected. The verification process requires the institution to collect additional documents from the student and his/her family in order to verify information provided on the FAFSA. Depending on individual situations, additional documents may be requested as needed. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the Financial Aid Office receives the items requested in a timely manner.

 

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2020-2021 Deadline

To allow time for accurate processing, below is the deadline to submit documents to

the Office of Student Financial Aid for 2020-2021 aid year.

Spring 2021: November 15, 2020

Summer 2021: July 1, 2021

Verification paperwork submitted after the deadline is not guaranteed to be completed by the Fall 2020 payment deadline or Spring 2021 payment deadline.

**CONSEQUENCES OF MISSING THE VERIFICATION DEADLINE**

If the student does not provide the requested verification documentation within the reasonable time period that has been established (by the priority deadline for processing), the institution may not disburse aid prior to the 1st class day.

The failure to provide the COMPLETED requested documentation prior to the established deadline may result in the following:

1. 1. Delays in award package
   2. Ineligibility of Title IV aid (Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, and Federal Direct Loans)
   3. Delay in the disbursement of Title IV aid (Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, and Federal Direct Loans)
   4. Late fees as established by the Office of Treasury Services

Also see Retroactive Federal Student Aid for additional federal deadlines affecting the awarding of Title IV funds once the aid year begins and after a student is no longer enrolled for the award year.

 

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IRS Data Retrieval Tool

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS Web site.

We highly recommend using the tool for several reasons:

1. It’s the easiest way to provide your tax data.
2. It’s the best way of ensuring that your FAFSA has accurate tax information.
3. You won’t need to provide a copy of your or your parents’ IRS tax return or tax transcripts.
4. You can use it to complete the verification requirements even if you did not use it when you initially completed the FAFSA.

Alternatives to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

If you cannot complete the IRS Data Retrieval Tool process, you will need to submit signed copies of 2018 federal tax returns, including schedules 1, 2, and 3 (if applicable), or copies of 2018 IRS Tax Transcripts.

If you or your parent worked but did not file taxes, or if you or your parent filed taxes as married filing jointly but are now separated or divorced, you will need to provide copies of 2018 W2s or 2018 IRS Wage and Income Transcripts. If your parent did not file a 2018 federal tax return they will also need to get a “statement of non-filing” from the IRS.

To order a Tax Return Transcript, a Wage and Income Transcript, or a Statement of Non-Filing click here to access the IRS Get Transcript Online website.

 

How do I know if I am selected for Verification?

Your Student Aid Report comments, from your FAFSA, will indicate if you have been selected for Verification. Your Panther Tracks account will display “Unsatisfied Requirements” for Financial Aid that related to the required verification documents you must submit. We will also send electronic notices to your PV student email address regarding any required documentation.

 

 

 

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How do I submit the required documents for Verification?

You are required to submit your documents online via your Panther Tracks. You may upload PDF copies of your documents to Panther Pass, which is the document upload section in your Panther Tracks. Use either a scanner or a scanning app on a smartphone to create the PDF document. Do not simply upload a photograph of the document. Any document requiring a signature must be signed with a pen or a mouse. Typed signatures, even in special fonts, are not acceptable.

 

What happens after I submit my required documents?

After the Financial Aid Office receives all verification documents, we compare that information to the information provided on your FAFSA.
If any discrepancies are found, we will update your FAFSA information in our system with the information provided on your verification documents. Your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) may change and we will determine whether the change to your EFC requires that we revise your financial aid award.  This review process takes 2 – 3 weeks after receipt of all verification documents.

We are also required to report your revised information as a correction to your FAFSA, therefore, it is important that you do not make further corrections or changes to your FAFSA while verification is pending, and once verification has been completed.

 

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How to Avoid Delays in the Verification Process

 

• Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
• Read your Student Aid Report (SAR) after completing the FAFSA to know if you have been selected for verification.
• Check your Panther Tracks for “Unsatisfied Requirements” relative to Verification requirements.
• Submit your verification requirements as soon as possible via Panther Pass.
• Make sure the tax documents are for 2018, not 2019 or 2017.
• Carefully read each section of the Verification Worksheet.
• Complete all questions requiring a dollar amount. Enter $0 if a question does not apply.
• All applicable parties must sign the Verification Worksheet with a pen or mouse.
• If there are further discrepancies on the packet regarding other income information reported, additional documents could be requested at a later date.
• After the submitted documents are reviewed additional documents may be requested to clarify any discrepant information.
• If you are having difficulty securing the required documents or have questions about what is being requested, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
• Make your own copies for your records.