Verification is a quality-control method used by the U.S. Department of Education to check the accuracy of information submitted on the FAFSA. All schools that disburse federal Title IV funds are required to participate in the verification process.

If you are selected for verification, OSFS will provide you with instructions on what information you must provide to our office. You may be asked to provide a copy of your, your spouse (if applicable), and your parents’ (for dependent students) Income Tax Returns, W-2 forms, and/or other documents.* You can check for any required documents on our CASH (Check Aid Status Here) web site.

You will not be able to receive financial aid until the verification process is complete. To receive maximum consideration for aid such as grants and Work-Study, turn in all documents as quickly as possible. All requested verification documents must be received no later than one month before the end of the semester for which you are applying for aid.

*Important! If OSFS suspects that a student or other individual has misreported information or altered documentation to fraudulently obtain federal funds, our office can report our suspicions and will provide the evidence to the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Education.