Verification
VERIFICATION Part 668 of the Higher Education Act establishes regulations that are effective for most Title IV Financial Aid Programs. These General Provisions have incorporated a Verification process as part of the Student Financial Assistance program requirements. In order for you to understand and comply with the Verification process, we are providing you with the following information.
Verification is the process used to check the accuracy of the information that a student and/or a student's parent(s) have given when applying for federal financial aid. Accuracy is verified by securing additional documentation or, in some cases, a signed statement attesting to the accuracy of the information provided. This may require providing information/documentation that may include but may not be limited to: ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME, TAXES PAID, NUMBER IN HOUSEHOLD, NUMBER IN COLLEGE, AND UNTAXED INCOME. The goals of Verification are to ensure that federal funds (and any other aid) are awarded fairly and in conjunction with appropriate standards as well as to measure the accuracy and quality of the application process. Most students are selected for Verification prior to the awarding of aid and must complete the process before aid is awarded. However, you can be selected at anytime. If an aid package was previously offered, the awards will be subject to change if eligibility changes because of Verification.
Verification is required for the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Stafford Loan Program, and the Campus-Based Programs. Colorado State University also applies verification when awarding State and Institutional Aid.
In traditional Verification, applicants are flagged on a random basis or through a series of edits built into the federal methodology at the Central Processor. Colorado State University participates in the Quality Assurance (QA) Program in cooperation with the Department of Education. The QA Program allows Colorado State to develop and implement a process that fits our population. Based on previous QA measurements, Colorado State University selects applicants that target application concerns and/or funds that go to the neediest of students. In addition, the office can select any applicant if it determines that there is conflicting information or reason to doubt the information/documentation. The selection for review does not mean that the information provided is incorrect. For more on QA, see “Forms & Publications”, “Policies” and then “Quality Assurance Program”.
The collection and review of any documents related to Verification must be completed by specific deadlines within the term in order to guarantee that funds can be disbursed before the end of that term. Students are encouraged to complete the process as quickly as possible as many aid programs have limited funds. Timely completion provides the student with the best opportunity to be considered for all aid programs. If you should refuse to comply or are unable to provide the information/documentation in the allotted time frame, you will not be eligible for any of the aid programs listed above and will be required to repay any funds disbursed in those programs. Unresolved overpayment issues will be referred to the Department of Education. Student Financial Services (SFS) will notify students of items required to complete Verification via a series of information requests. This will be done through either paper mail, e-mail, or a combination of both. Specific deadlines for the term are listed in these notifications.
The entire Verification process is required by Federal Regulation. We are required to adhere to the procedure. After Verification is completed, your eligibility is determined and awards made or adjusted as needed. Notification of these awards is done via an original or revised Award Notice. The Award Notice is visible on your RAMweb account and you will receive either an e-mail or a paper letter telling you when this is complete. In most cases, corrections will be submitted electronically by the institution to the Central Processor. In other rare circumstances, you may be required to submit corrections on your own by accessing your application electronically or by sending in a paper correction. Please check with SFS prior to making any changes to your application, either while your application is being reviewed or after we have submitted changes.