Financial Aid Verification

In This Lesson: Students will demonstrate an understanding of what to do if they are selected for Financial Aid verification.

Over the past several years, a team of organizations worked together to create the College & Career Knowledge Project, consisting of digital handouts compiled into a workbook designed to support college and career education planning. Full workbooks can be ordered through the 12th Year Campaign, and digital copies are also available.

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Access the most up-to-date College and Career Knowledge materials on this website.

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To compliment the materials, we have created lessons for each section in the workbook. These lessons contain specific content, a short activity, and resources from the workbook. Educators are able to make their own copy of each lesson and edit it to include specific details about their school and community. Each lesson should take about 20-30 minutes to be delivered during core-content or advisory class.

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Access the most up-to-date month-to-month College and Career Knowledge lessons by grade level on this document.

Extra Lesson:

Financial Aid Verification

College and Career Knowledge Materials

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What is Verification?

• Process that your intended college uses to confirm that the information on your FAFSA or WASFA form is accurate.
• Your intended college will:
• Let you know if you are selected for verification via email AND
• Request additional documentation about the information you have reported

Verification “Melt”

Many students do not complete the verification process due to the stress it may cause.

• Being picked for verification does not mean you did anything wrong!
• Don’t be discouraged throughout the process. It may time consuming, but it is possible!

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Reminder: there are deadlines for submitting verification documents -- if you do not apply in time, you may lose access to financial aid in your first quarter/semester.

Example of Verification

5 General Steps to Verification Process

1. Gather the documentation that was requested, examples:
• Household size, family members in college
• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
• Taxes paid
• Untaxed income/benefits
2. Fill out necessary forms
3. Correct any mistakes (if any)
4. Submit your documents on time
5. Contact your financial aid office

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Verification Documents

If selected for verification, collect these required documents as soon as possible so that they do not delay the financial aid process:

• Signature Page
• Income Information, such as tax returns or transcripts (parent or student)
• IRS Tax Return Transcript or verification of a non-filing letter from the IRS (for independent students who did not file taxes) can be requested through the IRS website!
• Fill out any forms required by the school

Questions?

• If you have questions during the verification process: the best thing is to contact your college’s financial aid department.
• For help with the FAFSA: there are tools available on their website, including live chat with a FAFSA representative at studentaid.gov/help-center/contact
• For help with the WASFA: contact the Washington Student Achievement Council with questions at info@wsac.wa.gov 360.753.7800

Need Additional Support?

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For additional information and support on this topic, please reach out to: