The Federal Verification Process

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the federal financial aid form that students complete to apply for all federal student financial aid. Verification is a process that the U.S. Department of Education uses to make sure that the information reported on the FAFSA is accurate. Some FAFSA applications are selected because of inconsistent information, and others are chosen randomly.

Required Documentation

If your FAFSA is selected for verification by the Department of Education, you are required to provide documentation that verifies the information you entered on your FAFSA. 

You and your parent(s) must complete a Verification Worksheet. Follow the "documents" link from the top left menu of the Financial Aid Portal to determine which verification form is required of you. If your FAFSA is selected for verification, complete the verification requirements as soon as possible so your federal financial aid can be finalized.

Income Documentation

Starting in 2024-25, The Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act (FUTURE Act) amended the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to mandate access to tax information of contributors. Contributors who do not file federal taxes still must provide consent. All parties whose Federal Tax Information (FTI) is included on a student’s FAFSA form must provide consent annually. More details on Consent, Financial Data and Taxes are available from our website.

Non-tax-filers must complete a non-filer statement indicating that they did not, and were not required to file a 2022 federal tax return. Contributors who do not file federal taxes still need to provide consent to attempt the DDX. 

Will students still be able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)?

No. Starting with 2024-25, the DRT will no longer exist. After the student, spouse, and/or parent provides consent to the Direct Data Exchange (FADDX) via the FAFSA completion process, the Federal Tax Information (FTI) will be linked to the application contributor. Federal Student Aid (FSA) will now directly transfer Federal Tax Information (FTI) from the IRS into the FAFSA form as long as the user has provided FSA with consent to do so. Information that is transferred and not edited will essentially be verified and need no further verification. Applicants who are unsuccessful Direct Data Exchange can request an IRS Tax Transcript.

IRS Tax Transcript request process 

Tax filers selected for verification and were unsuccessful in the DDX process must request a Tax Return Transcript (NOT an Account Transcript) of their 2022 tax return from the IRS:

1. You can request a transcript electronically on the IRS website (the fastest method).

  • All transcript types are available online

  • You can view, print, or download your transcript

2. You can request a transcript via mail. You'll need your mailing address from your latest return.

  • Tax return or tax account transcript types delivered by mail
  • Transcripts arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address we have on file for you

3. You can also request a transcript by mail by calling the automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946.

Your Financial Aid Offer after Verification

We are required to resolve any conflicting information discovered during the federal verification process. As a result, the amount and type of your financial aid may change after the verification process is completed. If there is any revision to your award, you will be notified by email to check the Financial Aid Portal. 

This page was last updated on November 9, 2023.