Federal Verification

Federal Verification is the process by which the Department of Education selects student FAFSA forms to be reviewed for accuracy. To maintain compliance with federal regulations, the financial aid office is required to review those files selected for verification. If your FAFSA is selected for verification, the financial aid office will email you to let you know what information should be submitted.

If you are selected for verification:

  • Complete the Verification Update Form
  • Verify parent and student income and tax information via the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or tax transcript

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) allows parents and students who have filed a tax return to retrieve their tax information and import it directly into the FAFSA. This process confirms that the FAFSA reflects the income and tax data on file with the IRS.

  • Log in to your FAFSA
  • Select the current academic year FAFSA
  • Click Make FAFSA Corrections
  • Navigate to the Financial Information tab
  • Answer the DRT screening questions
  • If eligible, you will be directed to the IRS website to transfer the data
  • Your FAFSA financial info will display Transferred from the IRS
  • Sign and resubmit FAFSA

If your parents file separate tax returns or filed an amended tax return, they cannot use the Data Retrieval Tool—instead, request an official tax return transcript from the IRS. Once you have received your transcript, you may forward it to the financial aid office by mail or fax.

If you did not file taxes for the year, complete the Non-filer Statement. If your parents did not file a tax return, each parent must also complete the Non-filer Statement—they must also request a Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS.

Statement of Educational Purpose: During the federal verification process, you may be required to submit an Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose Form in-person at the Undergraduate Financial Aid office. You will be notified by our office if this form is required in addition to regular verification documents.