Verification is a process to confirm that the information provided by a student or their parent on the FAFSA is accurate.
If selected for verification, OCC will request additional documentation that supports the information the student reported. Students will not be able to receive federal aid until the verification process is completed. For this reason, it is important that a student complete the verification process as soon as possible if selected.
Who is selected?
Approximately 30% of all students nationwide are selected for verification each year. Some students are chosen randomly while others are chosen due to discrepancies on their FAFSA. It is not unusual for a student to go through the verification process several years in a row.
How am I notified?
Students selected for verification will receive an email from Student Aid Process to their student OCC email with a link that will direct the student to their Verification Portal. If parent documentation is required for verification, the student will be prompted to provide parent information. The parent selected for verification will also receive an email to the address provided on the FAFSA.
Students and parents will use the Verification Portal to upload and submit requested documentation.
What documents will I need?
The Financial Aid Office has the authority to request any documentation they believe may impact the student’s federal aid eligibility. Some commonly requested documents are, but not limited to:
- Signed federal tax returns
- Signed amended tax returns
- Proof of citizenship
- IRS letters of non-tax filing
- Identity/ Statement of Educational Purposes
- Bankruptcy documentation
- Out of Default letter
IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Students and parents may choose to make a correction to their processed FAFSA by linking directly to the IRS instead of requesting an IRS Tax Return Transcript. To use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT):
- Log in to your current FAFSA form or start a new application at studentaid.gov.
- In the finances section of the online form, you will see a “Link to IRS” button if you are eligible to use the IRS DRT.
- Click the “Link to IRS” button and log in with your FSA ID to be transferred to the IRS to retrieve your info.
- Once at the IRS site, enter your information exactly as it appears on your federal income tax return and click the “Submit” button.
- Check the “Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA form” box and click the “Transfer Now” button.
- You will know that your federal tax return information has been successfully transferred because the words “Transferred from the IRS” will display in place of the IRS information in your FAFSA form.