Verification

Verification is a process used to check the accuracy of the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of Education selects a percentage of students for verification each year. Students may be chosen institutionally for verification if there appear to be inaccuracies. If selected, the student must submit documentation to the Office of Student Financial Services. If the documentation does not match what was reported on the FAFSA, we will correct the application. If corrections are made, it may affect eligibility for financial aid.

Students selected for verification will receive emails to their LMU email accounts. Students will also have missing documents listed in the Financial Aid Self-Service Menu of MyLMU. For applicants, emails are sent to the preferred email account on file. It is important that students routinely check their LMU email accounts and monitor MyLMU.

The U.S. Department of Education selects students for different verification groups. The groups verify different FAFSA data.  Due to this, the documents required can differ. At a minimum, most students (and parents, if dependent) must submit a verification worksheet. Our office only requests the documents that are necessary for us to complete the verification process. Once documents are received and the review process starts, additional documents may be requested if conflicting information is found. Any requests for additional documents will be sent to the student’s LMU email account.

When completing the FAFSA, to be eligible for financial aid, the student and their contributors must provide consent and approval for the exchange of Federal Tax Information (FTI) from the IRS to the Department of Education. This process is known as the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX). There are instances when the FA-DDX transfer may be ineffective. We may accept a signed copy of the tax return (and schedules 1, 2, and 3, if filed) or an IRS Tax Return Transcript in those cases. We must collect either a signed copy of the original tax return (and schedules 1, 2, and 3, if filed) or the IRS Tax Return Transcript and a signed copy of Form 1040X if an amended tax return was completed. To request a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS, follow the instructions below.

Verification documents may be dropped off in person at DAR-Whitford Hall on the Harrogate campus or mailed to the Office of Student Financial Services. Ensure all questions are answered on the verification worksheet and list your name and LMU student ID number on each page when sending documents. Send all requested items at the same time and only send copies of tax documents, not originals.

The Office of Student Financial Services only makes financial aid offers once the verification process is complete. Students should routinely monitor their LMU email and MyLMU accounts and promptly respond to documentation requests. It is recommended that students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible on or after October 1st each year. Students should submit all verification documents prior to July 1st. Timely submissions help ensure financial aid offers are complete and gives students ample time to complete their registration before the beginning of the academic year. All financial arrangements must be in place before the first day of classes or move-in day. Verification documentation received after July 1st will be processed but may take longer during the busiest times.

Certain financial aid programs have limited funding, so failing to submit the required documentation promptly may result in the loss of priority funds. The deadline for processing verification is September 1, or 120 days from your last day of enrollment in the school year, whichever is earlier. If a student is selected for verification after a financial offer is made, future disbursements will be held until verification is complete. Once verification is complete, aid will be adjusted based on the verification outcome, and the student will be responsible for repaying all aid the student is no longer eligible for. A revised financial aid offer notification will be sent to the student’s LMU email account if adjustments are made. The student's financial aid offer may be canceled if verification documents are not received by the deadline.      

If you have special circumstances, such as loss of income, you must still complete the verification process, but you may file an appeal to address the special circumstances.

During the review process, if any credible information is found indicating that an applicant for federal student aid may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with their application for federal student aid, a referral will be made to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for further investigation. Purposely giving false or misleading information may be a crime under federal or state law and a violation of student conduct.