Verification

SELECTION OF STUDENTS FOR VERIFICATION

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) selects 33% of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications at random for verification. In addition, the DOE or South Texas College may select a student for verification if the information submitted appears to be incorrect or fraudulent.

The Office of Financial Aid at South Texas College verifies all financial aid applications for students who are selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education who attend South Texas College during the Award year in which they are selected. In addition, South Texas College reserves the right to select additional applications as deemed appropriate by financial aid professionals.

Students who are selected for verification must submit the required documentation to the STC Office of Financial Aid thirty days before they expect to see the verification resolved and their account cleared for disbursement. The STC OFA will endeavor to review verifications sooner that 30 days after submission, but during peak times this may not always be possible. The STC OFA will continue to accept and review verification information until the Department of Education’s published correction deadlines for each award year.

IF THE DOCUMENTATION IS NOT ON TIME

If the student does not submit documentation in time for any changes to be confirmed by the DOE, South Texas College is not responsible for any eligibility lost. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation in a timely manner so that deadlines can be met.

ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION

Below is a list all acceptable documentation and forms used:

  • Verification Worksheets
  • For the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 Award Year, STC will use the federal worksheets. Please click on the following link to go to the financial aid forms page. Verification forms are available there. http://www.southtexascollege.edu/finaid/fa_forms.html
  • STC will accept copies of federal tax return forms. STC will also accept IRS form 1722, and IRS generated tax return transcripts (RTFPT).
  • In cases where a conflict is perceived, STC OFA may request additional proof of untaxed income and benefits beyond what is shown on tax returns and verification worksheets from the student. This proof will vary by agency. For Example:
    • Untaxed Social Security Benefits – A statement from the Social Security Administration
    • Unemployment Benefits – A statement from the Unemployment benefits providing agency
  • Signature requirements:
    • Verification Worksheets
      • Dependent Students – Must be signed by the student and one parent.
      • Independent Students – Must be signed by the student
    • Income Tax returns
      • May be signed by the tax payer
      • May be signed by the tax preparer
      • In lieu of a signature from the tax payer or preparer, if the preparer’s firm name and EIN number of Social Security number appear on the tax return this is acceptable. Tax returns prepared by Vita, or self prepared must be signed by the taxpayer.

CONFLICTING INFORMATION

For the purposes of verification, conflicting information is any information that is reviewed during the verification process which does not match the information that the student and parent provided initially. The financial aid professional who is reviewing the information will make the determination that conflicting information exists.

The applicant can reconcile conflicting or inaccurate information with the financial aid office by submitting documents showing correct information from the information provider. For example if conflicting information is perceived related to income tax information, the OFA will request that the student provide a tax transcript from the IRS, rather than a copy of the form that they submitted. If the student’s record is incomplete, no funds are approved for disbursement until the conflicting information is resolved.

NOTIFICATION OF COMPLETION OF VERIFICATION

STC Office of Financial Aid will rely on the U.S. Department of Education to mail students a copy of their corrected Student Aid Report for notification that the verification changes are complete. If the student wishes, he or she may check with the Office of Financial Aid and see how verification affected their EFC.

The change will be reflected in the award amounts (if any) on the award letter.

Award letters are mailed to students after all issues related to verification are resolved and any other eligibility issues are resolved.