What Is Verification?

After you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the U.S. Department of Education may select your application for verification. Verification is a federal process used to confirm that the information reported on your FAFSA is accurate before financial aid can be finalized.

If you are selected for verification, Student Financial Services will notify you by COTC email of any documents or information required to complete the process and directing you to download, complete and submit the required forms to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Verification is a routine part of the financial aid process and does not mean you made a mistake on your FAFSA.

What You Need to Do

If you are selected for verification:

• Review the notification from Student Financial Services carefully.
• Submit all requested documentation as soon as possible.
• Include your name and COTC seven-digit student ID number on all submitted documents.
• Respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

Financial aid cannot be finalized until all required documentation has been received and reviewed.

Tax Information

Depending on your FAFSA information, you and/or your required parent or contributor may be asked to provide documentation of income or tax filing information.

In some cases, this may include:

• An IRS Tax Return Transcript
• A signed copy of a federal income tax return
• IRS Form 1040-X (for amended tax returns)
• IRS Form 4868 and additional documentation (for filing extensions)
• Documentation related to IRS identity theft
• Copies of foreign or territorial income tax returns, if applicable

Student Financial Services will notify you of the specific documentation required for your situation. Do not submit tax documents unless they have been requested.

Verification Deadlines

To help ensure your financial aid is available by tuition payment deadlines, submit:

• your FAFSA as early as possible
• all requested verification documents promptly after receiving notification

Students who delay submitting required verification documents may experience delays in the processing of their financial aid.

Federal regulations establish an annual deadline for completing verification. Generally, verification documents must be submitted no later than 120 days after your last date of enrollment or the federal verification deadline published for the award year, whichever occurs first. Students who fail to complete verification by the federal deadline are not eligible to receive federal financial aid for that award year.

Important Information

• Verification may result in changes to your financial aid eligibility if corrections to your FAFSA are required.
• Student Financial Services may request additional documentation if needed to resolve conflicting or incomplete information.
• All documents submitted to Student Financial Services become the property of COTC and cannot be returned or forwarded to another institution.

Questions?

If you have questions about verification or the documents you have been asked to submit, contact Student Financial Services for assistance before your deadline.