Verification

What is Verification? The verification process is like an audit of your FAFSA, comparing household and income information from documents we request with the figures you submitted on the FAFSA. The Department of Education requires that we resolve all “conflicting information” that affects Expected Family Contribution, or EFC.

Our staff will review information including the following essential areas:

• Household size
• Number enrolled in college (siblings only, until the age of 24; does not include parents in college)
• Adjusted gross income (AGI)
• U.S. income tax paid
• Certain untaxed income and benefits
• Receipt of SNAP/CalFresh (food stamps)
• Child support paid
• Identity and Educational Purpose

Some other areas that can "conflict" may have to do with tax filing status and asset information.

Please note:  If an applicant uses the IRS Data Retrieval Option to transfer federal income tax return data to the FAFSA without modification, the unmodified data elements will not be subject to verification.  Accordingly, applicants who use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool are less likely to be selected for verification. 

If your file is selected for verification, all forms of aid, including loans, will be held until you submit all requested items, your file is completed, and verification is concluded.

Hints to Make the Verification Process Go Smoothly

1. Follow directions when completing the FAFSA. Carefully review the application instructions and provide accurate information. It is helpful to organize your information ahead of time by utilizing the worksheets provided on the FAFSA Web site or paper copies available in our office lobby.
2. Use IRS Data Retrieval Option on the FAFSA.  If you estimated your income, update the FAFSA using the IRS data retrieval tool. View the IRS Data Retrieval Tutorial for 2013-2014 to help guide you in this process.   Once our office receives original retrieved IRS information, you will not be required to submit a tax return transcript.  This option will streamline and expedite the processing of your financial aid application.
3. Student Aid Report (SAR). After the federal processor receives and processes your FAFSA, you will be e-mailed a SAR. The SAR lists each question and your response from the FAFSA. The SAR also notifies you if there was an error in processing your FAFSA. Review your SAR right away for accuracy and follow the instructions if you need to make corrections, or if you need to update it, as with tax information filed for the current year. If you did not receive your SAR within three weeks of submitting your FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
4. Check your Student Center "To Do List" to see what financial aid documents are needed from you and what requirements you must meet. A full explanation for all requests is available by following the "Details" link next to each item.
5. Submit all requested items on your "To Do List" by June 1 in order to have your file complete before the first possible disbursement. The summer and early fall are our busiest times for file review and verification. Beat the crowd by getting your documents in early. Always print your name and Chico ID at the top of all forms you submit. We aim to finalize as many files as possible in time for the first fall disbursement. Much of that depends on you.
6. Be on top of all requests. Continue to check your "To Do List" for additional documents that may be requested.
7. Follow through on all requests promptly. If you have questions, consult this Web site, call us at 530-898-6451, write to finaid@csuchico.edu, or stop by our office in Student Services Center 250.

Reminder

Verification confirms amount of need, as expressed by the EFC. However, financial aid is based on need and enrollment. Offers are estimated based on full-time enrollment. If you are not enrolled full-time, or drop below full-time, you will receive financial aid that is prorated for the number of units in which you are enrolled. Please view Enrollment Requirements for financial aid full-time status.

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