Transcript Maureen McFarlane Anderson   Process of verifying accuracy of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data Regulations define: ◦ Whose application must be verified ◦

Maureen McFarlane Anderson
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Process of verifying accuracy of Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
data
Regulations define:
◦ Whose application must be verified
◦ FAFSA information to be verified
◦ Documentation used to verify data elements
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Regardless of verification selection, must
always resolve discrepancies and conflicting
information
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Customized approach - the Department will
continue to use data-based statistical
analysis to select applicants for verification
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Data elements selected each award year
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FAFSA information that must be verified:
◦ Will vary from applicant-to-applicant
◦ May be information that is not used in calculating
applicant’s expected family contribution (EFC)
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For 2015–16, Central Processing System
(CPS)-selected applicants assigned to one of
six verification tracking groups
Each tracking group determines items to be
verified and required documentation
Verification Tracking Verification Tracking Group Name
Flag
V1
Standard Verification Group
V2
V3
Reserved
Child Support Paid Verification Group
V4
V5
Custom Verification Group
Aggregate Verification Group
V6
Household Resources Verification Group
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Adjusted gross income (AGI)—tax filers
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U.S. income tax paid
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Untaxed income from tax return—tax filers
◦ Individual Retirement Account (IRA) untaxed
distributions, deductions, and payments
◦ Untaxed portions of pensions
◦ Education credits
◦ Tax-exempt interest income
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Untaxed Income Reported on FAFSA
Income earned from work—nontax filers
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) Benefits
Child support paid
Number in household size
Number in college
High school completion status
Identity/Statement of Educational
Purpose
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Changes to data elements that were incorrect at
time of application
If data are correct as reported and valid
Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) or
Student Aid Report (SAR):
◦ Pay Federal Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
(IASG), Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant (FSEOG), Teacher Education Assistance for College
and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, and Federal Perkins
Loan
◦ Employ students under Federal Work-Study (FWS)
◦ Originate and disburse Federal Direct Student Loans
(Direct Loans)
Must:
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Be written
Address school options where flexibility
exists
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Be made clear to all students
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Be consistently applied
Verification Exclusions
There are times when you don’t need to verify a
student’s
application.
◦ Death of the student
◦ Not an aid recipient
◦ The applicant is eligible to receive only unsubsidized
student financial assistance.
◦ Applicant verified by another school.
◦ Post enrollment.
 The student was selected for verification after ceasing to
be enrolled at your school and all (including late)
disbursements were made.
Household Size
 You don’t have to verify household size in the
following situations:
◦ For a dependent student, the household size
reported is two with a single, divorced, separated,
or widowed parent or is three with parents who are
married or are unmarried and living together.
◦ For an independent student, the household size
reported is two if he is married or one if he is
single, divorced, separated, or widowed.
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Reduce the burden on applicants, their
families, and institutions while maintaining
the integrity of the Title IV Federal student
aid programs.
Do not ask for anything that is not required
(e.g., if ISIR doesn’t have child support
information, do not ask for it).
Separate form for each element?
Utilize USDOE “suggested text” and forms.
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IFAP.ED.GOV
◦ Application and Verification Guide
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DCL ID: GEN-14-11 (6/30/14)
2015-2016 Verification-Suggested Text and
Availability of 2014 IRS Tax Information
Posted Date: November 24, 2014 (Updated
February 20, 2015)
NASFAA Publication – Using Tax Returns in
Need Analysis & Verification