Understanding the Verification Process
What is Verification?
Cedarville University has been selected to participate in the Quality Assurance Program, which is supervised by the Department of Education. This provides us the opportunity to select up to 30% of our applicants for the verification process. Verification is simply a process of documenting your FAFSA data. In many cases this verification process helps families receive more financial aid. If you are selected for verification, you can not receive any of your federal aid until verification is completed.
What happens if I am selected?
Students that are selected are asked to submit documentation to validate the information used to file the FAFSA. Any discrepancies found during the Verification Process will be adjusted on the FAFSA to coincide with documentation.
How will I be notified if my FAFSA record has been selected for verification?
You may hear directly from the Department of Education that you have been selected for verification. However, you may not have to actually go through the verification process if you are WAIVED by the University. You are waived if your record does not meet Cedarville's selection criteria for verification. Please wait to submit any verification documentation until you receive an official request for verification from the Cedarville University Financial Aid Office.
(Note: Prematurely sending in documentation to Cedarville University may cause you to be selected when you could otherwise be WAIVED.)
What documentation will be required in the verification process?
Dependent Students
Dependent Students will be asked to submit the following forms:
- Verification Worksheet (dependent)
- Must be signed by both parent and student
- Signed copy of Parent(s) Tax Return (submit both returns if "Married filing separately")
- Front & back of 1040, 1040A
- Schedule A, C, F, SE (if applicable)
- Form 2555 (if applicable)
- Housing Allowance Schedule (if applicable)
- Copy of Parent(s) W2's
- Signed copy of Student Tax Return (if applicable)
- Front & back of 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ
- Copy of Student W2's
Independent Students
Independent Students will be asked to submit the following forms:
- Verification Worksheet (independent)
- Must be signed by student & spouse (if applicable)
- Signed copy of Student Tax Return (if applicable - submit both returns if filed separately)
- Front & back of 1040/1040A, 1040EZ
- Schedule A, C, F, SE (if applicable)
- Form 2555 (if applicable)
- Housing Allowance Schedule (if applicable)
- Copy of Student W2's
- Copy of Spouse's Tax Return (if applicable)
- Copy of Spouse's W2's (if applicable)
How many records are selected for verification?
Usually no more then 30% of the FAFSA records submitted to Cedarville are selected for verification.
How are FAFSA records chosen for verification?
A FAFSA record is selected for verification in one of two ways:
- based on criteria set forth by Cedarville University
- random selection by the Department of Education
Each year the selection criteria changes.
What if I have questions about this process?
Contact Tonya Bailey, Compliance Manager in the Cedarville University Financial Aid Office, via e-mail or by phone at 800-444-2433.
