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2013-2014 Verification Process

New Icon   Please be advised that beginning in the 2012 - 2013 academic year, signed Federal Tax Returns (i.e. 1040, 1040A , 1040EZ) are no longer acceptable forms of documentation.    New Icon  

What is Verification?

Verification is a process in which information on a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is reviewed by a school for accuracy and completeness.

Approximately 30% of all FAFSAs received each year are selected by the Federal Department of Education for the verification process. Documentation of the information supplied by the applicant and/or parent(s) on the FAFSA is required to complete verification.

How do I know if I'm selected?

There are multiple ways to determine if you have been selected for the verification process including:

  1. There will be an asterisk next to your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your Student Aid Report (SAR).
  2. You will also be informed of having been selected for verification in the SAR Acknowledgement letter, which will be included with your SAR documents.
  3. Coastal Carolina University students will receive a written request from Financial Aid & Scholarships for the required verification documents.
  4. The required documentation will also be listed on Webadvisor under the Financial Aid Banner - "Check the status of required FA actions and documents".

 Why was I selected?

Many students selected for verification are chosen randomly by the Federal Department of Education. However, you are more likely to be selected for verification if the data you provided on the FAFSA was inconsistent, incomplete, or estimated. Financial Aid & Scholarships also has the authority to select students for verification.

I'm selected, what now?

If your FAFSA was selected, participation in the verification process is not optional and must be completed before receiving federal student financial aid. It is very important to respond promptly to all requests for verification information. Delays in response or submission of incomplete verification documentation will delay the offer of a student financial aid award package. Students and/or parent(s) must submit the required documentation to verify the information supplied on your FAFSA. Do not send documentation to Financial Aid & Scholarships unless you have been selected.

During the process of verification, new or additional information may be required in order to clarify any inconsistencies. Financial Aid & Scholarships will contact you via your university email account, mailing address, or phone number if additional documentation is required. It is important to submit any requested documentation immediately.

Verification is completed only when all required information is received. However, your financial aid cannot be awarded until your submitted documentation has been verified by Financial Aid & Scholarships, and the Department of Education has received and accepted changes to the original FAFSA information.

For more information please refer to Financial Aid & Scholarships Verification Policy & Procedures .

Required Documentation:

As of the 2012 -2013 academic year, we are no longer allowed to accept a signed Federal Tax Return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ) as valid documentation (excluding foreign tax returns). Instead, applicants must utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or provide an IRS Tax Return Transcript & W-2(s).


Dependent Students Selected for the 2013 - 2014 Year

  • A 2013 - 2014 Dependent Verification Worksheet signed by both student and at least one parent on the FAFSA.
  • Student and Parent(s)
  • Written documentation of receipt of benefits through Food Stamps/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) from the issuing agency, if applicable for 2012.
  • Documentation of any child support payments made by a parent(s) in 2012, if applicable. Must include:
    • Total amount of child support paid for all children in 2012.
    • Name(s) of child/children for who you pay child support.
    • Name of person who is receiving the child support payments.
    • Signature of person who is paying the child support.

  Independent Students Selected for the 2013 - 2014 Year

  • A signed 2013 - 2014 Independent Verification Worksheet
  • Student and Spouse (if applicable)
  • Written documentation of receipt of benefits through Food Stamps/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) from the issuing agency, if applicable for 2012.
  • Documentation of any child support payments made by a parent(s) in 2012, if applicable. Must include:
    • Total amount of child support paid for all children in 2012.
    • Name(s) of child/children for who you pay child support.
    • Name of person who is receiving the child support payments.
    • Signature of person who is paying the child support.

NOTE: Students and parents who elect to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool within the online FAFSA for 2013-2014, and who do not change the information imported within it, are exempt from submitting the IRS Tax Return Transcript and W-2's.

For instructions on utilizing FAFSA's Data Retrieval Tool, click here.

For instructions on requesting a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript, Click here.