Financial Aid & Scholarship Office

Verification

What is Verification?


The verification process is like an audit of your FAFSA or CADAA, comparing household and income information from documents we request with the figures you submitted on the FAFSA or CADAA. The Department of Education and California Student Aid Commission require that we resolve all conflicting information. If your file is selected for verification, no aid will be disbursed until all requested items are received and verification has been completed.

Our staff will review information including the following essential areas:

  • Household size
  • Adjusted gross income (AGI)
  • U.S. income tax paid
  • Income earned from work
  • High school completion status
  • Identity and Educational Purpose
  • Assets

Deadline to Submit Verification Documents

Verification forms are submitted through your Financial Aid Account. The priority deadline to submit verification documentation is June 1 for fall term and November 1 for students enrolled in the spring term only. We cannot guarantee a disbursement of aid at the beginning of the semester for students who submit documentation after the priority deadline. Students who submit required documentation after the priority deadline will receive disbursements after their file is verified. Verification may take up to eight weeks to process after all documentation is submitted. 

All verification items must be submitted within 120 days after the last date of enrollment or the published federal award year deadline. Failure to provide required verification documents and all other supporting documents will result in forfeiture of aid for that award period.

Required Corrections Resulting From Verification and Notification of Award Changes

Chico State will review all verification documents and make all the necessary corrections when there are discrepancies between verification documents you submit and the FAFSA or CADAA information you filed. Your FAFSA or CADAA will be updated and you will be notified about corrections by the Central Processing System. If there are changes to your award as a result of verification, you will be notified by email from the Chico State Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.

Verification Tips

  • Follow directions when completing the FAFSA or CADAA. Read the instructions thoroughly. Carefully review the application and provide accurate information.
  • If filing a FAFSA: After the federal processor receives and processes your FAFSA, they will email you a FAFSA Submission Summary(opens in new window) that lists each question and your response from the FAFSA. It will also notifies you if there was an error in processing your FAFSA. Review your FAFSA Submission Summary right away for accuracy. Follow the instructions if you need to make corrections.
  • 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 clicking on “more” and then opening the link to each requested item and by reviewing the information in your Financial Aid Account.
  • If you are attending fall semester, 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. 
  • Be on top of all requests. Continue to check your "To Do List" for additional documents that may be requested. Submit your required items electronically via your Financial Aid Account
  • Follow through on all requests promptly. If you have questions, chat with us below (see Live Assistance Chat in lower right corner), call us at 530-898-6451, email us at finaid@csuchico.edu, or stop by our office in Student Services Center 250.

Reminder

Offers are estimated based on full-time enrollment. If you are not enrolled full-time, or drop below full-time, you may be eligible for prorated financial aid based on the number of units in which you are enrolled at the University census date. Please view Enrollment Requirements for financial aid full-time status.