Should you be worried if you are selected for FAFSA verification?

Either your college will notify you, or you'll learn from your Student Aid Report, which comes from the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid (FSA) office after you submit the FAFSA. Being selected for FAFSA verification doesn't mean you did anything wrong or have a reason to be concerned.

What happens if your FAFSA is selected for verification?

If your FAFSA has been selected for verification, each college will reach out to you directly with instructions on how to complete the process. Check your mail, email, and college portal regularly for verification-related requests.

How many students are selected for verification?

After you submit your FAFSA or CA DREAM ACT APPLICATION, you may be asked to submit more documents. This process is verification and 20% of students get selected, so you are not alone! Check your MyUCLA portal to see the status of any document requests.

Who selects FAFSA for verification?

Every year, the Department of Education picks a portion of financial aid applicants to go through FAFSA verification. The state of California also selects CADAA applicants for verification. For both, it is process to confirm that the information you submitted is accurate.

How do I know if FAFSA approved me?

Your FAFSA status can be found on the “My FAFSA” page, which you'll see right after you log in if you've started or completed a FAFSA form.

FAFSA Verification: What to Do if You're Selected

How long does it take for FAFSA verification?

How long does the verification process take? Verification processing time is generally two to three weeks during peak season (June-October), and one to two weeks during non-peak season (November-May). Therefore, students should start the process as soon as possible.

How long does it take for FAFSA to get approved?

This article applies only to the 2023–24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form. If you submitted your 2023–24 FAFSA form online, we'll process your form within three to five days. If you submitted a paper FAFSA form, your form will be processed within 7 to 10 days.

Why am I always selected for FAFSA verification?

If you're selected for verification, don't be alarmed. "You didn't do anything wrong," Keller says. "The federal government has certain formulas that decide who they select and one of the formulas is random." A higher percentage of low-income students are typically selected for verification.

What percent of students get verified for FAFSA?

FSA announced some good news at its most recent conference: For the current 2021-22 FAFSA cycle, the verification selection rate for all filers was reduced from 22% to 18%. However, the selection rate for Pell Grant-eligible FAFSA filers remains much higher.

What happens if you fail FAFSA verification?

Failure to return the verification forms by the deadline will cause you to lose this year's financial aid. Review your FAFSA form before you send it in the first place. Errors can happen in the rush to get the FAFSA form out the door, but you can cut down the odds of being verified with an error-free form.

Why do people get selected for verification?

It's a process to confirm that the information on the FAFSA you submitted is an accurate snapshot of your finances. You were probably chosen at random, like the vast majority of those selected, or your school may have asked to have your information verified.

Why would my FAFSA get flagged?

There are a variety of reasons students have their FAFSA flagged for verification, including random selection, applying to a college that verifies all students, to protect against identity theft, or most commonly, there was a mistake on your FAFSA that needs clarification.

What happens if you fail to meet the deadline for verification?

A student who fails to submit a copy of the filed tax return or alternative documents before the documentation deadline is ineligible for FSA funds and is required to repay any aid disbursed.

Why would a FAFSA get rejected?

There are a few common reasons why the Federal Processor will reject an application: Missing signatures, inconsistent marital status with income, taxes paid are equal to or higher than adjusted gross income, citizenship questions are blank, marital status and family members blank, etc.

Who is responsible to verify the accuracy of a student's FAFSA when selected for verification?

Verification is a quality-control method used by the U.S. Department of Education to verify the accuracy of the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other documents submitted to the GSEP Financial Aid Office.

Does FAFSA verification ask for bank statements?

Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable), net worth of investments, businesses, and farms. Records of untaxed income (if applicable) An FSA ID (account username and password) to log in to StudentAid.gov and start the FAFSA form electronically.

What disqualifies a student from FAFSA?

For example, if your citizenship status changed because your visa expired or it was revoked, then you would be ineligible. Other reasons for financial aid disqualification include: Not maintaining satisfactory progress at your college or degree program. Not filling out the FAFSA each year you are enrolled in school.

Can I get denied for FAFSA?

According to the office of federal student aid, some applications can be denied because applicants did not meet the basic eligibility requirements. These include: Having demonstrated financial need for need-based federal student aid programs. Being a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

Do universities look at FAFSA?

Colleges use the information from your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federally funded scholarships, grants and loans. Colleges may also use information from your FAFSA to award private scholarships from their own funds, and your state may require the FAFSA to determine state-funded college aid.

Why is FAFSA taking so long to process 2024?

Originally estimated to arrive by late January, this delay may have been caused by a recent update to the new financial aid formula. The update is slated to bring in an additional $1.8 billion in need-based student aid, but the timing may impact the federal financial aid timeline.

Why is it taking so long for my FAFSA to process?

The delays are a result of overhauls made to the aid application system that were mandated by laws passed by Congress in 2019 and 2020.

Does FAFSA verify bank accounts?

Verification doesn't necessarily check the student's or parent's bank accounts. Rather, the school will ask for documentation to clarify information provided in the form. These documents can include income tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms.

How often does FAFSA audit?

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Every year millions of students undergo a complex audit after they submit their Free Application For Federal Student Aid—the application form for most college financial aid.