Verification

What is Verification?
As a quality control measure, the U.S. Department of Education randomly selects 30% of FAFSAs (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in a process called “Verification”. Verification is the Department of Education’s means of testing the accuracy of the information submitted on FAFSAs and by doing so ensuring the integrity of the student financial aid programs. Schools are authorized to collect certain source documents to check the accuracy of the information on the FAFSA. If the information submitted conflicts with the information provided on a FAFSA schools are authorized, and obligated, to make a correction to the FAFSA before financial aid eligibility can be accurately determined and funds disbursed.

What must I do?
If your FAFSA has been selected for verification, it is necessary for you to submit the following documents to us at your earliest convenience, preferably within ten business days of being notified of the verification

  • 2011-2012 Verification Worksheet (dependent or independent)
  • Signed copy of your 2010 federal tax return (If you filed taxes, otherwise list any income received on the verification worksheet and provide a copy of your W-2 form if available.)
  • Signed copy of your parents' 2010 federal tax returns (dependent students only)
  • Additional documentation may be required.

If you need a copy of your tax return, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a copy of your federal income tax return, or a transcript. Remember, you must sign all tax returns and transcripts.

FAX Number: You may fax your complete and signed tax returns to us at 305-899-3104.

Special Note: Your signature must be on the copy of your tax returns, even if you had them prepared by a tax preparation service and their stamp or information is listed there. Sign the copy before mailing or faxing it to us.

How will verification affect my financial aid?
If the information on your source documents matches the information on your FAFSA, there will be no changes to your financial aid. However, if the information does not match, Barry is required to make the corrections and update your FAFSA. After verification your financial aid may remain the same, increase or decrease.

What happens if I don’t provide all documentation?
Students are strongly encouraged to submit documents requested within 10 business days of notification from the Financial Aid Office.

We are required to inform you of the consequences should you fail to provide all requested documents:

  • Federal and state need-based financial aid will not be disbursed into your account at the Cashier/Business Office until verification is complete.
  • You may be charged late fees by the Cashier/Business Office if your account balance is not paid on time.
  • Stafford Loans may not be processed until verification is complete.
  • If you were awarded Federal Work Study, you are not able to begin working until verification is completed.
  • You may be prevented from registering for the next semester.
  • If you do not provide the necessary documents to us by the 5th week of the semester all of your Federal, State and Institutional need-based financial aid, including loans, will be cancelled. Any deferred tuition, fees and late charges will be your responsibility.

The Financial Aid Office may require other documentation on a case by case basis for certain data elements, such as child support, proof of separation or divorce, Social Security/SSI benefits, veteran's benefits, or any other items deemed necessary.

VERIFICATION FAQ

  • As a student, I did not earn enough to file a federal income tax return. What do I do?
    On the verification worksheet there is a place where you can indicate that you have not filed federal income tax returns. You are required to list any and all income that you received on the verification worksheet in lieu of submitting federal tax returns and submit a copy of your W-2, if available.
  • We lost our tax returns, what can we do?
    Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a copy of your federal income tax return or a transcript.  Please remember to sign them.
  • Why do you keep asking for more documents?
    Sometimes documents you turn in to us conflict with the FAFSA or other documents. Whenever there is a conflict between data elements, we are required by Federal regulation to request other documents to clear up the conflict. We always request the minimum documentation necessary to fulfill the Federal regulations.
  • What pages of my or my parent’s federal income tax returns do you require?
    All of them. Make sure they are signed.
  • Why do you request my parent’s W-2 forms?
    There is information there that is not on the federal tax returns. Many times these are necessary for us to complete verification.
  • I’m confused or unsure of what to do. Who can I call to get help?
    If you have verification questions email our Verification Supervisor at finaid@mail.barry.edu. Please write VERIFICATION HELP in the subject. You may also visit your financial aid counselor or call the office at 800-695-2279.

Dependent Verification Worksheet
To be completed by dependent students who are selected for verification.

Independent Verification Worksheet
To be completed by Independent students selected for verification.