How to proceed if you have been selected for verification randomly by the federal processor

Verification update - GREAT NEWS for 2021-22 and 2022-23!
Some students may now be able to submit less documentation to complete verification! FAS staff are making updates to your To Do List and awarding students who are now eligible for financial aid. Log in to MySPC to see if there are any documents that you do not need to submit (will show as "waived"), documents you still need to submit (will show as "initiated" or "returned") or if you have already been awarded financial aid.

Document submission
For your personal security and to meet federal regulations, all documents must be submitted using our online E-forms, in person or by mail or fax. Documents cannot be submitted by email.

E-Forms
Most forms related to Verification of FAFSA data are available in an electronic format. E-Forms are easy to complete and can even be completed on mobile devices. If you prefer to use the paper version, those are still available by contacting A$KFA$.

Verification requirements
If your FAFSA application is selected for Verification, make sure you understand what documents and whose information you need to submit. Not all applicants will be asked to submit the same documents. Always check your To Do List in MySPC.

NOTE: Being selected for Verification does not mean you did anything wrong when completing the FAFSA.

The Department of Education has regulations to ensure that only eligible students receive financial aid. Verification is the process used to confirm the data you provided on the FAFSA. It is to your benefit to submit all requested items as quickly as possible since your financial aid file cannot be reviewed or completed until verification is complete. If there are any differences found between information reported on the FAFSA and the actual figures provided in the verification documents, SPC will submit the corrections on your behalf. Your financial aid award will be based on the corrected information.

Your financial aid file may have been selected for verification randomly by the federal processor, or because your file appears to have errors or conflicting information.

If you are a dependent student and both biological and/or adoptive parents reside in the same household, you will need to provide both parents' information regardless of their marital status or gender.

If you are an independent student and your marital status on the date the FAFSA was completed was "married," you will need to provide your spouse's information regardless of gender.

A student/parent is considered "married" if the student/parent was legally married in any domestic or foreign jurisdiction that recognizes that relationship as a legal marriage, regardless of where the couple resides. This determination applies to same sex or opposite sex couples. This determination does not apply to domestic partnership, civil unions, or similar formal relationships recognized under state law.

Tips for Verification
To expedite the processing of your financial aid file if it is selected for verification:

  • Start early and check the accuracy of your answers against the documents you used to complete any form.
  • Submit all requested verification documents in a timely manner. Ample processing time is needed to ensure adherence to federal regulations. The longer you wait to submit required documentation, the longer verification will take.
  • Your file will not be complete until all requested documents are received and processed.

What documents do I need to submit?
If your Student Aid Report (SAR) has been selected for Verification, SPC will send a written request for documentation by mail and SPC student email. In addition, your MySPC To Do List will list any required documents. Not all applicants will be asked to submit the same documents. You may be asked to provide different documents than you have submitted in previous years.

Requested Verification documents may include IRS Tax Transcripts, a completed Verification Worksheet, or other documents. In some circumstances, you may go back to your FAFSA application and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to download your income information. If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript. You may no longer submit copies of tax returns (IRS 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ). If you filed an income tax return with Puerto Rico, another U.S. territory, commonwealth, or with a foreign central government, provide a transcript that was obtained at no cost from the relevant taxing authority, or if this cannot be obtained at no cost, then provide a signed copy of that tax return.

How do I submit the requested documents?
The easiest and quickest way is to complete the E-forms which will automatically be delivered to SPC when you select "Submit."

You may request fillable PDF versions of our Verification forms by contacting ASKFAS, calling 727-791-2485 or speaking with an FA Counselor. For documents that you must submit in paper format, be sure to include your student name and SPC ID written clearly at the top of each page. Do not submit original documents unless you are told to do so. Make copies of what you submit.

For your personal security and to meet new federal regulations, we can no longer accept student Verification documents by email.

Financial aid awards
Your file will not be complete until all requested documents are received and processed by Financial Assistance Services. The verification process may delay the awarding of financial assistance if corrections need to be submitted to the federal processor.

Verification questions? 

If your financial aid file is selected for verification, your financial assistance will not be awarded until ALL outstanding issues are resolved. If a signature is required, documents are not considered complete unless they are signed. Please note requirements vary for each academic year. Not all applicants will be asked to submit the same documents. You may be asked to provide different documents than you have submitted in previous years.

Verification documents for fall 2021, spring 2022 and summer 2022

If you are an INDEPENDENT student, you will be required to provide:

  • A completed and signed 2021-22 Verification Worksheet 
  • A copy of your and your spouse's 2019 IRS Tax Return Transcript (no signature required) OR a copy of your and your spouse’s 1040 with all schedules (signed)
  • In some instances, IRS Wage & Income Transcripts and/or W-2's may be required

If you are a DEPENDENT student, you will be required to provide:

  • A completed and signed (by the student and parent) 2021-22 Verification Worksheet
  • A copy of your 2019 IRS Tax Return Transcript (no signature required) OR a copy of your 1040 with all schedules (signed)
  • A copy of your parent(s) 2019 IRS Tax Return Transcript (no signature required) OR a copy of your parents’ 1040 with all schedules (signed)
  • In some instances, IRS Wage & Income Transcripts and/or W-2's may be required

If you are an INDEPENDENT student and you and/or your spouse DID NOT FILE, you and they will be required to provide:

  • A 2021 or 2022 Verification of Non-Filing
  • All 2019 IRS Wage & Income Transcripts showing income earned from work

If you are a DEPENDENT student, and your parent(s) DID NOT FILE, the parent(s) will be required to provide:

  • A 2021 or 2022 Verification of Non-Filing
  • All 2019 IRS Wage & Income Transcripts showing income earned from work

Tax Return Transcript, Record of Account Transcripts and Wage & Income Transcripts

  • Request a Tax Return Transcript or Record of Account Transcript
    • Online - www.IRS.gov - select "Get Transcript Online" in the Request Online box
    • Mail - www.IRS.gov - select “Get Transcript by Mail” in the Alternative to Requesting a Transcript Online” box

Amended tax returns 
If selected for verification and you, your spouse, or your parent(s) filed an amended tax return (1040X), you will need to provide:

  • A copy of the 2019 Tax Return Transcript
  • A signed copy of the 2019 IRS Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return 
  • An IRS Record of Account Transcript, usually available 6-8 weeks after an amended tax return has been processed by the IRS

Identity Theft 
A victim of IRS identity theft who is not able to obtain a 2019 IRS Tax Return Transcript or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) must sign and submit the following documents to complete verification:

  • Contact the IRS at 800-908-4490. Upon authentication of the tax filer's identity, the IRS will provide, by U.S. Postal Service, a printout of the tax filer's 2019 IRS income tax return information
  • A statement signed and dated by the tax filer that he or she was a victim of tax-related identity theft and that the IRS is aware of the tax-related identity theft.

SPC reserves the right to request additional documents. Check your MySPC To Do List.

Other Verification Documents
Other documents might be needed. The Federal Processor alerts students to issues on the first page of the Student Aid Report. A "C" placed next to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) indicates issues that need to be resolved.You might be requested to provide the following:

  • A copy of your Social Security Card
  • A copy of your Marriage Certificate
  • Proof of receipt of food stamps, if reported on the FAFSA
  • Proof of amount of child support paid, to whom it was paid and for whom it is being paid, if reported on the FAFSA
  • Verification of high school completion

For these documents, the student should appear in person and allow the school to review the original document. Scanned or faxed copies of these documents cannot be accepted. We will make a copy for your financial aid file. If you are unable to appear in person and you are verifying citizenship/immigration status, please follow the directions for completing the Citizenship/Immigration Documentation Affidavit.

  • Citizenship papers
  • INS Alien Registration Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Statement of Identity and Educational Purpose - driver's license and/or US passport

COVID-19 Flexibilities

During the national emergency, the Citizenship/Immigration Documentation Affidavit and Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose forms are available online in your MySPC To Do List.

Verification documents fall 2022, spring 2023 and summer 2023

If you are an INDEPENDENT student, you will be required to provide:

  • A completed and signed 2022-23 Independent Verification Worksheet
  • A copy of your and your spouse's 2020 IRS Tax Return Transcript (no signature required) OR a copy of your and your spouse’s 1040 with all schedules (signed)
  • In some instances, IRS Wage & Income Transcripts and/or W-2's may be required

If you are a DEPENDENT student, you will be required to provide:

  • A completed and signed (by the student and parent) 2022-23 Dependent Verification Worksheet
  • A copy of your 2020 IRS Tax Return Transcript (no signature required) OR a copy of your 1040 with all schedules (signed)
  • A copy of your and your parent(s) 2020 IRS Tax Return Transcript (no signature required) OR a copy of your parents' 1040 with all schedules (signed)
  • In some instances, IRS Wage & Income Transcripts and/or W-2's may be required

If you are an INDEPENDENT student, and you and/or your spouse DID NOT FILE, you and they will be required to provide:

  • A 2022 or 2023 Verification of Non-Filing
  • All 2020 IRS Wage & Income Transcripts showing income earned from work

If you are a DEPENDENT student, and your parent(s) DID NOT FILE, the parent(s) will be required to provide:

  • A 2022 or 2023 Verification of Non-Filing
  • All 2020 IRS Wage & Income Transcripts showing income earned from work

Tax Return Transcript, Tax Account Transcript and Wage & Income Transcripts

  • Request a Tax Return Transcript, Tax Account Transcript and Wage & Income Transcripts:
    • Online - www.IRS.gov - select "Get Transcript Online" in the Request Online box
    • Mail - www.IRS.gov - select “Get Transcript by Mail” in the Alternative to Requesting a Transcript Online” box

Amended tax returns
If selected for verification and you, your spouse, or your parent(s) filed an amended tax return (1040X), you will need to provide:

  • A copy of the 2020 Tax Return Transcript
  • A signed copy of the 2020 IRS Form 1040X, Amended US Individual Income Tax Return 
  • An IRS Tax Account Transcript, usually available 6-8 weeks after an amended tax return has been processed by the IRS

Identity Theft 
A victim of IRS identity theft who is not able to obtain a 2020 IRS Tax Return Transcript or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) must sign and submit the following documents to complete verification:

  • Contact the IRS at 800-908-4490. Upon authentication of the tax filer's identity, the IRS will provide, by US Postal Service, a printout of the tax filer's 2020 IRS income tax return information
  • A statement signed and dated by the tax filer that he or she was a victim of tax-related identity theft and that the IRS is aware of the tax-related identity theft.

SPC reserves the right to request additional documents. Check your MySPC To Do List



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