Verification
Verification is a review process that confirms the accuracy of student reported data on financial aid applications. Selection occurs by the U.S. Department of Education and is completed by the financial aid office.
Selected students are required to complete the verification process before financial aid eligibility can be determined or paid out.
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The accuracy of the following data elements reported by you, or your parent(s), or your spouse, on the FAFSA are confirmed through verification. This is confirmed primarily through the submission of IRS tax information.
- Adjusted gross income (AGI)
- U.S. income tax paid
- Education credits
- Untaxed portions of IRA distributions
- Untaxed portions of pensions
- IRA deductions and payments
- Tax-exempt interest
- Household size
- Number in college
- Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose
- Assets
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ACES
You can find the Verification requirements listed in your student ACES account. On ACES, verification will appear with a red flag in the 'Financial Aid Checklist' section on the 'My Page' tab.
The following documents may be requested:
- IRS Tax Transcripts or signed Tax Returns.
- FAFSA Verification Worksheet
- Asset Verification Worksheet.
Additional documents vary by situation:
- Identity and Educational Purpose Statement
- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Form
- High School Completion proof
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After submitting your electronic documents, please allow up to 6 weeks for your documents to be processed and your eligibility determined. We will notify you by email once this process is completed.
Common mistakes that may extend the processing timeline include:
- unsigned documents
- unreadable documents
- missing and incomplete documents
- unresolved issues on your FAFSA
The last day of the term for which you are enrolled in an academic year is the final date to submit verification documents.
FAQs
A Tax Return Transcript is an official document from the IRS listing all income tax information. If requested, you may obtain a Tax Return Transcript by logging into the IRS website.
If requested, a SIGNED copy of yours and/or your parent(s) 1040 tax return will satisfy the requirement.
The IRS Tax Return Transcript mentioned above will also still satisfy this request.
Independent students and parent(s) of dependent students who are chosen for verification and who did not file taxes, regardless of the amount of income (even zero), may be required to submit a Verification of Non-Filing (VONF) letter from the IRS.
If requested, you can obtain a Verification of Non-Filing by going to the IRS website and completing IRS Form 4506-T. Select Box 7 and submit the letter with your verification documents when received.
IF REQUESTED, individuals without a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must provide a signed and dated statement certifying they do not have any of these. In addition, they will need to list the sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources used to support the household for the tax year. If applicable, a copy of the W-2, 1099, or other equivalent document for each source of employment must be provided.
Up through August 2024, the Alamo Colleges District partnered with ProVerifier+ to process all student Verifications. This processing has been shifted back to the Student Financial Aid Office and students will no longer receive communication through ProVerifier+.
