Federal Verification

Federal Verification

A student is selected for verification by the Department of Education (ED) to ensure the accuracy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information provided.  The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) is required to collect additional documentation from you in order to complete this ED requirement.  

Please note: OSFA may be required to correct a student’s federal financial aid offer as a result of verification. This corrected aid offer may differ from the student’s initial financial aid offer. Verification must be completed before a student can receive federal financial aid.

Deadline for Submitting Documents for Verification

For the 2023-2024 academic year, you must submit all required documents to complete the verification process by whichever date is sooner:

  • within 120 days of your (the student’s) last date of enrollment
  • by April 5, 2024 (for students only taking classes in the fall 2023 term)
  • by August 23, 2024 (for students only taking classes in the spring 2024 or summer 2024 term)

All corrections to your FAFSA must be processed by OSFA and the Department of Education within 120 days of your (the student’s) last date of enrollment.

To complete the verification process for the 2024-2025 academic year, you must submit all required documents to OSFA by:

  • by April 1, 2025 (for students only taking classes in the Fall 2024 term)
  • by August 21, 2025 (for students only taking classes in the Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 term)

FAQs

There are numerous ways you will be contacted if you are required to complete verification:

  • At the time you are initially selected for verification:
    • An email is sent directly to your CatMail with instructions on how to proceed.
    • Additionally, an item is added on your To Do List in the UAccess Student Center.
  • After initial selection and communication:
    • OSFA sends a monthly reminder email to all students that have been selected for verification and have not completed their requirements.
    • The To Do List item referenced above remains incomplete and in your UAccess Student Center To Do List.

  • The To Do List item in your UAccess Student Center will include a link to the appropriate form and details on what types of documentation is required.
  • You will submit all required documentation online via the form link provided, unless otherwise instructed. 
  • Your login credentials to access the form are your NetID and password.

Requirements will vary depending on what we are verifying on your FAFSA. Clear instructions are provided in your UAccess Student Center To Do List item. Most documents will need to be uploaded directly into the form through the student’s account, however, there are exceptions. Please refer to the specific instructions in your To Do List item.

Examples of documents that you might be asked to submit include (but are not limited to):

  • Student’s signed tax return (Form 1040)
  • Student’s W-2 form
  • Spouse’s signed tax return (Form 1040)
  • Spouse’s W-2 form
  • Parent(s)’ signed tax return (Form 1040)
  • Parent(s)’ W-2 form
  • Verification of Household Form
  • Statement of Education Purpose Form (This will either need be notarized of submitted in person at our office)
  • Signed statement
  • Utility bills
  • Leases
  • IRS transcripts
    • IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter
    • IRS Tax Return Transcript
    • IRS Wage and Income Transcript

Completing Federal Verification involves many different steps and a number of parties. In partnership with you (the student), the University of Arizona communicates with the Department of Education to verify and/or correct any FAFSA information initially provided. 

For a more detailed explanation, read through the following table:

StepWhat HappensTimeline
1OSFA is notified that you have been selected for verification upon the receipt of the FAFSA.This typically takes three to five weeks from the date on which the FAFSA was filed.
2OSFA notifies you that you have been selected to complete Federal Verification.This can take at least one week after the FAFSA is received by OSFA.
3You will submit all required documentation.This can happen immediately after you have been notified by our office of the verification requirement.
4OSFA reviews submitted documentation and either requests additional items or removes the To Do List item from your UAccess Student Center.From the time we receive all required documentation, the review may take up to three weeks. 
5OSFA will notify you via email if changes to your financial aid offer occur based on any corrections made to your FAFSA during verification. Changes to your aid can be reviewed directly in your UAccess Student Center.From the time we receive all required documentation, the review may take up to three weeks. 

You can review more information on our FAQ page.

Verification of U.S. citizenship requires the submission of two separate documents:

  • One document to verify your U.S. citizenship (such as a U.S. passport) and
  • One document to verify your identity (such as a state issued driver’s license)

Submit both of these documents along with your signed affidavit web form through the designated form for our review. Access the direct link to this form via your UAccess Student Center To Do list item.

After you complete the Statement of Educational Purpose form which helps us confirm your identity and your intention to use any financial aid received for educational expenses, you can submit this form in one of two ways.

  1. You may present a copy of your photo ID and this form to a member of our team in person at the University of Arizona Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, main campus.  
  2. If you are unable to come in person, you must mail a notarized, original copy of the form and a copy of your photo ID to our office.