School Code
001572
Verification
Policy and Procedures Manual
Verification Policy Revised: May 9, 2022
As part of the Financial Aid Process, the Department of Education may randomly select a student for verification. This process verifies that data reported on the FAFSA is correct so that the student can be accurately awarded.
If you are selected for verification, Georgia Southern University will send an e-mail with instructions on how to access our verification software. Once your account is created through our verification software on Campus Logic, you can view your outstanding requirements and upload the necessary documents to satisfy those requirements.
Examples of documents that may be requested from you are the Verification Household form, an official IRS Tax Return Transcript and/or a signed copy of the IRS Form 1040. Other documents may be needed as well. These include, but are not limited to, Federal W2’s, Schedules from your Tax Return Transcript, or proof of other untaxed income.
You will be notified of the required documents via letter, phone, or email. Please note: It is crucial to complete verification as soon as possible. Federal aid will not be disbursed to your tuition account until your file is verified.
The Department of Education requires universities to verify that some or all of the following information on the FAFSA is correct:
- Household size
- Number in college
- Adjusted Gross Income
- US income tax paid
- Education credits
- Untaxed IRA distributions
- Untaxed pensions
- IRA deductions
- Tax exempt interest
- Income earned from work
- Other Untaxed Income
- High school completion status
- Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose
You may also be asked to verify additional information if conflictions are found in the categories above.
Unless otherwise directed, please do not make changes to your FAFSA during verification. If it is determined that amounts need to be corrected on the FAFSA, Georgia Southern University will make the necessary corrections and send them electronically to the federal processor. The federal processor will then notify you of the corrections that Georgia Southern University made. If your Financial Aid award changes as a result, you will be sent a new Financial Aid award letter.
Please note: It is a federal crime to deliberately falsify any information on the FAFSA form in order to receive federal financial aid inappropriately. Any cases where it is determined that deliberate tampering with FAFSA information occurred will be referred to the Office of Inspector General as required by the institution’s Program Participation Agreement.
What happens if YOU are selected?
Federal Financial aid funds cannot be disbursed to you until you have submitted all requested documents and the accuracy of your information has been checked. Do not submit any documents unless we request that you do so. This process can take several weeks.
Examples of what may be asked for during the 2022-23 FAFSA verification process:
IRS Wage and Income Transcript
2020 Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
2020 Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business)
2020 Schedule F (Profit or Loss from Farming)
Form 1040X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
2020 Schedule K-1 (Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.)
2020 Form 1099 (Miscellaneous Income)
Helpful Hints
| DO THIS: | DON’T DO THIS: |
|---|---|
| Turn in all documents requested by our departments as soon as possible. | Submit incomplete or illegible documents; They will be returned with a request for acceptable forms. |
| Be sure your full name and eagle ID are on all documents you submit. | Submit photocopies of income tax forms with information covered up by another form. |
| Keep photocopies of all information you submit and record the date you sent in the documents. | Submit documentation unless requested by our department. |
| Visit IRS.gov if you need copies of your IRS forms. | Forget to Sign your forms. |
Last updated: 2/14/2023