Verification

Verification is a process, initiated by the U.S. Department of Education or by the financial aid office, requiring you to verify the information that you provided on the FAFSA.

• You are required to submit signed copies of income tax returns and other documents to the financial aid office.

• If your application is selected for verification, you will not be eligible for federal aid until this process is completed.

• About 30% of all financial aid applicants at Ivy Tech are selected at random each year for verification when their application is processed.

• Ivy Tech will inform you by letter if you have been selected.

• Do not submit documents if they have not been requested.

The following items must be submitted IF your application is selected:

• A signed copy of your (and your spouse's, if married) prior year Federal income tax return, and schedules.

• A signed copy of your parents' prior year Federal income tax return, and schedules (for student's who were required to provide parent financial information on the FAFSA).

• A completed Verification Worksheet
  (These are PDF files - which require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Other supporting documents that may be requested:

• Child support

• A copy of all W-2's associated with your income tax form

• AFDC/ADC/TANF

• Immigration

• Social Security Benefits

• Birth Certificate(s)

• Divorce/Separation

• Social Security Card (must have correct, current name)

• Veteran Benefits

To avoid unnecessary delays, please submit all required documents promptly. Also, be sure you have filled out the Verification Statement completely, and that all documents are signed by the appropriate parties. Documents with blanks and missing signatures will be returned!

When the financial aid office receives your completed Verification Worksheet and tax returns, we compare the information on these documents to the information you provided on your original FAFSA. If information from documents you submit conflicts with your FAFSA, we may require additional information to clear up the discrepancy. The financial aid office will contact you to request additional information. Responding quickly to any requests for additional information will help avoid further delays.

In some cases, the changes made during verification require resubmission of data to the U.S. Department of Education.

IF these changes affect your eligibility for assistance, you will receive a revised Financial Aid Award letter. You will also receive a revised SAR from the Department of Education.

Note: After verification is completed, household size and number in college cannot be adjusted.