Verification FAQ
What is verification?
Verification is a process for confirming the accuracy of the data reported on the FAFSA through the review of supporting documentation. The U.S. Department of Education selects some FAFSAs for verification, while other FAFSAs may be selected for verification by the institution. Students may be selected for verification randomly or because the data provided on the FAFSA was incomplete or inconsistent.
What do I do if my FAFSA is selected for verification?
If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will be notified on your FAFSA Submission Summary as well as by our office. We will communicate with you by mail or UT Dallas email if additional documentation is needed to complete the verification process. We will send you a list of information needed to complete the verification process. You may also find the list of requested documents by reviewing the To Do List in your Orion Student Center.
How do I submit my documents?
You may use the Financial Aid Uploader to submit your documents to our office. You may submit your documents by email attachment (PDF format preferred) to financial-aid@utdallas.edu. To protect your personal information, please use your UT Dallas email when submitting documents. You may fax your documents to 972-883-6803. You may also drop off documents in person to the drop box located on the first floor of the Student Services Building during business hours.
What happens after I submit my verification documents?
After we have received all requested documents, we will review the information submitted and compare it with the data you reported on your FAFSA. Continue to monitor your UT Dallas email account after you have submitted documents. This is how we will contact you if additional clarification and/or documentation is needed. As part of the verification process, we may correct information on your FAFSA based on the documentation that you submit.
How long does verification take?
The average processing time for verification is two to three weeks from the date we receive all of the requested documents.
What kind of documentation is required if my FAFSA is selected for verification?
The Department of Education tells us what documents we are required to request and review as part of the verification process. The requested documentation can include tax information, verification worksheets, proof of high school completion, and/or other documents that may be used to confirm the information reported on the FAFSA.
Tax Information
When you completed the FAFSA, you and your spouse or your parent(s) provided consent to import your/their federal tax information directly from the IRS to the FAFSA using the Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX). Federal tax information imported via the FA-DDX serves as verification documentation in most circumstances.
There are some cases where the FA-DDX cannot be used to import tax information to the FAFSA. In these cases, you can submit either a signed copy of the tax return with all numbered schedules or a Tax Return Transcript. Tax Return Transcripts are issued by the IRS and may be obtained at www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript. If you, your spouse or your parent(s) filed a tax return in another country for the tax year used on the FAFSA, you can submit a signed copy of the foreign tax return translated into English.
Tax Information for Unique Situations and Exceptions
Certain tax-filers may be required to submit additional or alternate tax documentation for the following unique situations and/or exceptions as listed below.
- Joint Return Filers Who Are No Longer Married: If you, your spouse, or your parent(s) filed a joint return and have separated, divorced, married someone else, or been widowed, submit:
- A copy of the Tax Return Transcript or a signed copy of the tax return with all numbered schedules
- A copy of IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income received or an equivalent document
- Amended Tax Returns: If you, your spouse, or your parent(s) filed an amended tax return for the tax year used on the FAFSA, submit:
- A signed copy of the filed 1040X form
- A copy of the Tax Return Transcript or a signed copy of the tax return with all numbered schedules
- Tax Filing Extensions: If you, your spouse or your parent(s) received a filing extension with the IRS beyond the automatic six-month extension period for the tax year used on the FASFA, submit:
- A signed statement listing the sources of any income and the amount of income from each source
- A copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for the tax year
- A copy of IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income received or an equivalent document
- If self-employed, the signed statement must indicate the amount of estimated AGI and U.S. income tax paid for the tax year
- Victims of Tax-Related Identity Theft: If you or your parent were a victim of tax-related identity theft for the tax years used on the FAFSA, submit:
- A signed copy of the tax return with all numbered schedules
- An IRS 4674C letter (a letter from the IRS acknowledging the identity theft) or a signed and dated statement from the tax-filer indicating that they were a victim of tax-related identify theft and the IRS has been made aware
Verification Worksheets
We may request verification worksheets from you to verify your/your parent’s family size or to confirm that you or your parent did not and will not file a tax return. We will send a worksheet containing the requested information to your UT Dallas email address when you are selected for verification. Copies of the verification worksheets can also be found on our forms page. Be sure to complete the form(s) for the appropriate aid year and to sign the form(s) with handwritten signature(s). We cannot accept typed signatures on verification documents.
Identity Verification
If you are selected for verification of your identity, you will need to visit our office during business hours and bring your valid, unexpired proof of identity issued by the federal or state government. Our staff will meet with you to review and make a photocopy of the document.
What is the deadline for submitting verification documents?
Verification document submissions are accepted throughout the aid year. However, it is in your best interest to submit your documents as soon as possible. We will not offer you financial aid until the verification process has been completed.
Please note that it is possible to be selected for verification after you have been offered financial aid or after financial aid has been applied or disbursed to your account. When this happens, you have 30 days to provide the requested documents. We may cancel the financial aid offered or disbursed if the requested materials are not submitted within this time frame. If you are unable to submit your documents by the 30-day deadline, please contact your financial aid counselor to request an extension.