Verification

What Is Verification of FAFSA and Why Was I Selected?

Once a student completes their Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), the University receives it 3-5 days later in the form of an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). Once received, the ISIR is reviewed by a financial aid processor for accuracy. When a student is selected for verification, it does not mean that there is necessarily a problem with their application. Usually selection is random or due to inconsistencies within the data provided, thus the information must be verified.

How Will I Know If I Was Selected for Verification?

If a student is selected for verification, the One-Stop Student Services Center, “One-Stop” will send a letter to their home address. A student can also see that they’ve been selected for federal verification by reviewing the comments section of their FAFSA Submission Summary. They will receive the FAFSA Submission Summary by email after they submit their FAFSA. The FAFSA Submission Summary will be a summary of the application that they submitted to the Department of Education.

What Happens If I Do Not Complete The Verification Process and What Documents Are Required?

The verification process is important to complete if selected because without it, Adelphi will not be able to finalize a student’s College Financing Plan (CFP). Students will be unable to receive most forms of financial aid — Including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study and Federal Direct Loan(s)— until the verification process is completed. For first-year students, if they don’t submit or correct all required documentation, the One-Stop will revise their financial aid package and only disburse the aid they are eligible to receive. Once they complete the verification process, the other forms of aid may be reinstated.

To complete the verification process, the following documents may be required:

• Prior-Prior Year Tax Returns
• Verification Worksheet
• Household Size Information
• Asset Information
• Citizenship Documentation
• Education Credits
• Number in College
• Verification of Non-Filing Status and Any Wages Earned From Work.

All documents can be submitted through mail, email, or fax via the contact information below. All information in question must be resolved within 10 business days in order for the One-Stop to generate a College Financing Plan (CFP). After completing the requested form(s) and/or making the necessary adjustment(s) to the FAFSA directly, the College Financing Plan (CFP) will be constructed in approximately 4-6 weeks. 

Please Note: Verification can result in changes to the student’s financial aid eligibility.

Verification Deadline

The final deadline for federal verification is the student’s last day of attendance during an academic year or June 30 of the academic year, whichever comes first. Students submitting documents after the final deadline will not be eligible for financial aid for that year.

Common Errors Made on FAFSA Resulting in Verification

Once all documents are reviewed further information may be required.

How Do I Know If I Completed the Verification Process?

Once the documents are submitted and processed, students will soon be able to utilize their student portal to receive status updates on their application. As of right now, students will receive this information through their PFAP sent to them via mail. Any errors in the financial aid application will be corrected electronically.