Federal Verification: What it Means for You
The Department of Education selects certain FAFSAs for a process called Federal Verification. When this happens, the Financial Aid Office is required to review additional information for that student before disbursing financial aid.
The documents required to satisfy verification can be different for each student, so be sure to review the missing information by logging into your MyUpstate account. You will also receive an email notification letting you know what is required.
Commonly Requested Documents
While each student may have different documentation requirements, here is a list of the most common documents needed.
Identity Verification
Students must either appear in person or schedule a virtual appointment to present their original government issued photo identification.
Tax Information
With the implementation of the FA-DDX between the U.S. Department of Education and the Internal Revenue Service, most US income and tax information is imported to the FAFSA. Only those who were unable to to successfully use the FA-DDX process should need to provide tax information.
Dependent students must submit copies of signed tax returns for themselves, if they filed, and their parent(s). Independent students must submit taxes for themselves and their spouse, if applicable. Taxes should include all of the tax schedules and copies of the W-2(s) for the tax year.
If you did not and were not required to file a tax return, you will need to provide documentation of this. Dependent students indicate their nonfiler status on the verification worksheet. Independent students, their spouses, and parents of dependent students must provide a verification of nonfiling letter from the IRS.
Verification Worksheet
Students will supply information about household size and tax filing status on this worksheet. Dependent students will require a parent signature on the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expand allI need to verify my identity, what should I do?
The Identity Verification can be completed in 1 of 3 ways.
- Students may appear in person to our office and present their original government issued photo identification.
- Students may meet with us virtually by scheduling an appointment.
- If a student cannot appear in person or meet virtually, they can appear in person to a notary and present their documentation. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact our office for further instructions.
What are some examples of acceptable government issued photo identification?
For students who must present Identity Verification, nearly ANY government issued identification that is unexpired and contains your photograph should be acceptable. Some common examples include:
- Driver's license that contains a photo
- State-issued ID card that contains a photo
- Passport
- US Passport card
- US Military ID card
- US Military Dependent's ID card
- Tribal card
If you are uncertain if your ID meets the requirements, please contact our office for additional information.
How do I request verification of nonfiling?
You requested my tax returns, is there anything else I can send you instead?
The fastest and most secure way to submit your tax information to our office is by returning to the FAFSA and using the FA-DDX. This will fulfill the tax return requirement.
We will, however, still need copies of the W2s.
What if I don't have a copy of my taxes?
I tried to get my tax return at IRS.gov but it wouldn't let me. What should I do?
Why do you need my W2s, isn't that already on my taxes?
I filed an amended tax return, what do you need?
I was a victim of IRS Tax Related Identity Theft, what documentation should I provide?
If you were the victim of IRS tax-related identity theft, you will need to do the following:
- Provide an IRS 4674C letter which acknowledges the identity theft
OR
- Provide a signed and dated written statement from the tax filer indicating they were a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft and that the IRS has been made aware of the tax-related identity theft
- Provide a signed income tax return including all applicable schedules
I filed a non-IRS Tax return, do you still need my taxes?
A tax filer who filed an income tax return with Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may provide a signed copy of the income tax return that was filed with the relevant tax authority.
If the tax filer filed an income tax return on American Samoa, you must provide a copy of the tax account information.
If you filed an income tax return with a different country's tax authority, you will need to provide a certified translation of that document. If you are unable to obtain the tax account information free of charge, you must provide our office with documentation that the tax authority charges a fee to obtain that information along with a signed, translated copy of the tax return filed with the relevant tax authority.