What is Verification?

The U.S. Department of Educattion requires that one in three FAFSA applications be verified by CCSU.  FAFSA's are selected on a random, lottery-type basis.  If selected for verification, the CCSU financial aid office will provide a verification worksheet which must be completed, signed, and returned with copies of the student's and parent's (or spouses) signed federal tax returns, W2's, and 1099's.  Verification may require submission of other pertinent documents.  The financial aid office may select someone for verification in addition to those selected by the U.S. Department of Education.

The financial aid office will review the submitted documents and compare them with the information entered on the FAFSA.  it is important to respond and complete the verification process as quickly as possible otherwise no packaging, awarding, and disbursement of aid may be completed.  Failure to comply may result in cancellation of any financial aid awarded.  If there are any differences found between information reported in the FAFSA and reported in tax returns and other required documentation, adjustments may be made to the financial aid award.  Verification documents must be submitted within 30 days of the request and or by June 1, whichever comes first.

Delays which may occur due to late verification

• No financial aid grant funds may be credited and disbursed until the completed verification determines your eligibility.
• Delays in verification may delay being able to finalize plans on how to pay for your college education.
• Financial aid cannot be posted against your CCSU bill until verification is completed. This may result in you having to pay the entire bill when due, late fees, and cancellation of registration and residence hall reservations.

Changes which may occur due to verification

• Student status may affect class standing, residency, dependent/independent status, and other qualifiers for eligibility.
• EFC may affect eligibility requirements for receiving Pell and other grants, and other types of aid.

How to complete the verification worksheet

• How do I know if I am selected for verification in the first place? Go online to access your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Using your FAFSA PIN number, download or request a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) by calling 1 (319) 337-5665 and request that your SAR be mailed to you.  The first page of your SAR will indicate if you are selected for verification and will enumerate any other issues which need to be addressed  before CCSU may continue with your aid packaging and awarding
• Normally, you will receive the appropriate verification worksheet - dependent or independent, from the financial aid office. If not, you may download the worksheet  from www.ccsu.edu/finaid.
• Be certain that you are using your correct CCSU ID number and social security number (only when required).
• The U.S. Department of Education gives specific instructions on whom to include as family members and what qualifies as college enrollment.  Make sure to include yourself and that you will be attending CCSU.
• Make sure you complete the parent and student section on the back of the verification worksheet.  All untaxed income which is not reported on your parent's or your federal tax returns should be listed on this page.  Married students include your spouse.
• It is very important that you and your parent sign and date the completed verification worksheet.  If married, the spouse must  sign this worksheet also.
• Take a moment to review the completed verification worksheet for completeness and accuracy and that all other requested documentation is included before dropping off, mailing or faxing this material to the financial aid office.