Federal Verification
Federal verification is a review process required by the US Department of Education (ED) that requires schools to confirm the accuracy of the information reported on the FAFSA. If selected, you will be required to submit documentation to Loyola's Office of Financial Aid. The reasons a FAFSA may be selected for verification can vary. ED may select some to clear up inconsistencies, while others may be selected at random.
If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will be notified by the Central Processing System via codes on your electronic FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). You will also receive an email from Loyola's Office of Financial Aid with instructions about how to complete the verification process.
Required Documents for Verification
Required documentation may vary because verification is specific to the student's FAFSA, but typically includes items listed below. Information needed to satisfy verification will be emailed to students and will also appear on your financial aid checklist via Loyola's Self-Service portal.
Items that may be required for those selected include:
- From the tax year used when completing the FAFSA:
- If your parent(s) have filed federal taxes, a signed copy of their federal tax return, or submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript
- If you have filed federal taxes, a signed copy of your federal tax return, or submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript
- Non-Tax Filer Statement if you and/or your parent(s) did not file a federal tax return
- Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS if your parent(s) did not file a federal tax return
- Verification Worksheet (only if requested)
Verification documents may be submitted safely and securely to Loyola by uploading them via the Self-Service portal. To best protect your personal data, we will not accept documentation by email or the US postal service.
Priority Submission Date for Completing Verification
We recommend that you submit verification documents as soon as possible upon being notified of your selection. Verification is complete when we have reviewed all required documentation, and the data on your FAFSA is accurate according to the documentation submitted. In general, verification must be completed by the last day of your enrollment during the school year for which your application has been selected, unless you meet certain federal criteria to be considered for late disbursements.
If you choose not to, or fail to submit verification documents, we will be unable to complete the review of your eligibility for financial aid. No federal, state, or institutional need-based financial aid will be disbursed to your student account until verification is complete.
In some instances, a student who has already been awarded financial aid may be selected for verification after your financial aid has been disbursed. If this happens, we will send notification by email. Failure to comply with the verification requirements will result in your aid being canceled and any future aid not disbursing to your student account. If financial aid has already disbursed to your student account and is then canceled, it may result in a balance on your student account.
Changes to your FAFSA as a Result of Verification
Our office is required to submit all FAFSA changes resulting from verification to the Central Processing System. The Processor will send you a revised electronic FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). The revised FSS identifies the data that was changed with an asterisk and states that the changes were made by Loyola.