School Code
001572
Verification
What is Financial Aid Verification?
Verification Information
As part of the Financial Aid Process, the Department of Education may randomly select a student for verification. This process verifies that data reported on the FAFSA is correct so that the student can be accurately awarded.
Federal Financial aid funds cannot be disbursed to you until you have submitted all requested documents and the accuracy of your information has been checked. Do not submit any documents unless we request that you do so.
This process can take several weeks.
What happens if YOU are selected?
If you are selected for verification, Georgia Southern University will send an email with instructions on how to access your Verification Requirements. Once your account is created through our verification software on Student Forms, you can view your outstanding requirements and upload the necessary documents to satisfy those requirements
Should you complete Verification or update your FAFSA?
Unless otherwise directed, please do not make changes to your FAFSA during verification. If it is determined that amounts need to be corrected on the FAFSA, Georgia Southern University will make the necessary corrections and send them electronically to the federal processor. The federal processor will then notify you of the corrections that Georgia Southern University made. If your Financial Aid award changes as a result, you will be sent a new Financial Aid award letter.
Please note: It is a federal crime to deliberately falsify any information on the FAFSA form in order to receive federal financial aid inappropriately. Any cases where it is determined that deliberate tampering with FAFSA information occurred will be referred to the Office of Inspector General as required by the institution’s Program Participation Agreement.
What kind of documents will Georgia Southern request for Verification?
Examples of documents that may be requested from you are the Verification Webform, an official IRS Tax Return Transcript and/or a signed copy of the IRS Form 1040. Other documents may be needed as well. These include, but are not limited to, Federal W2’s and Schedules from your Tax Return Transcript. You will be notified of the required documents via email. Please note: It is crucial to complete verification as soon as possible. Federal aid will not be disbursed to your tuition account until your file is verified.
Examples of what may be asked for during the 2024-25 FAFSA verification process:
IRS Wage and Income Transcript
2022 Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
2022 Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business)
Form 1040X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
2022 IRS Form 8863 (Education Credits)
What information is Georgia Southern verifying from your FAFSA?
The Department of Education requires universities to verify that some or all of the following information on the FAFSA is correct:
- Family size
- Adjusted Gross Income
- U.S. income tax paid
- Education credits
- Untaxed portions of IRA distributions
- Untaxed portions of pensions
- IRA deductions and payments
- Tax exempt interest income
- Income earned from work
- Foreign income exempt from federal taxation
- Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose
You may also be asked to verify additional information if conflicting information is found in the categories above.
Helpful Hints
- Verification is a process, we may request additional documents throughout the process.
- Turn in all requested documents as soon as possible.
- If we request a signed document, please include your PHYSICAL, HANDWRITTEN signature. We cannot accept typed signatures or e-signatures.
- Visit IRS.gov to Get IRS Tax Transcripts Online.
- Email VerificationFinAid@georgiasouthern.edu if you need assistance.
Policies:
Last updated: 5/22/2024