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Verification



Verification Process

While processing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the U.S. Department of Education will select some of the applications for a process known as “verification.” Certain inconsistencies found when processing the FAFSA may increase the likelihood that the application will be selected for verification.

Some of the FAFSAs submitted are also randomly selected for verification. You might see a note on your Student Aid Report saying you’ve been selected for verification. Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (SUBR) will be notified electronically by the U.S. Department of Education when a FAFSA is selected for verification. According to federal guidelines, SUBR also has the right to select any application that may detect inconsistencies.

If you’re selected for verification, don’t assume you’re being accused of doing anything wrong, but do understand that your information will be reviewed. If the initial review does not resolve the inconsistent information, you may be asked to supply additional or more detailed information. SUBR must resolve any inconsistent information prior to the disbursement of aid.

Please note that the verification process must be completed prior to receiving an award package from SUBR. Failure to provide the requested documents could result in the delay or denial of financial aid.

 

What information is needed to complete the verification process?

During the verification process, students are generally required to verify data elements included in the FAFSA. Examples of the data that may be verified include, but are not limited to, the adjusted gross income, federal taxes paid, SNAP benefits, social security income, or identity purpose of the statement. In some cases, the amount of child support paid, social security benefits received, untaxed employment benefits and other non-taxable items may also be verified during the process. Dependent students will be required to submit parental and personal information during the verification process. Married students will be required to submit spousal information during the process. Federal guidelines concerning marital status and dependency statuses will be followed in both cases when completing the verification process. For additional information, you may refer to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

 

How will I Complete the Verification Process?

It is very important that you log in and review your Banner Self-Service account during the verification process. Occasionally, additional documentation may be requested after receiving the initial documentation from the student. Students will be notified by email of any additional requirements.  

If you are attending the 2021-2022 Summer session, all verification documents that need to be completed can be found in Student Forms at  https://subr.verifymyfafsa.com.

If you are attending the 2022-2023 Fall 22, Spring 23, and Summer 23 sessions, all verification documents that need to be completed can be found in Student Forms at  https://subr.verifymyfafsa.com.

Students who were required to provide parental information on the FAFSA were required to have one parent authenticate and create an account on Student Forms. This parent will be required to e-sign or provide an ink signature once all documentation has been submitted.

  • Confirm your identity (authentication).
  • Both parent and student will need to create a secure username and password.
  • Decide if you want to receive text messages and approve to e-sign.
  • Access your Action List and begin the verification process (the list may consist of some combination of online forms and the request to upload specific documents to Verification Gateway).
  • Your parent on the FAFSA will also need to e-sign your account- We cannot complete the verification process without BOTH signatures.

 

What is the deadline to submit verification documents?

Generally, verification documents should be submitted no later than 30 days after receiving initial notification that additional documents are needed to allow for processing time. Verification documents submitted no later than 1 month before the start of the term will be processed in time for the respective payment deadline. Although SUBR will make every effort to process all paperwork received, information received after one (1) month of the start date for each semester may not allow adequate time for processing to be awarded prior to the first day of class for each semester.

Financial Aid Counselors will begin the verification process upon receipt of all required documents. This process takes 14 business days from receiving all requested documents (i.e., this does not count any time for necessary corrections). Students will be notified via email, text, or postcard if they have any questions or if any additional documentation is required. Once verification has been completed, the student and our school will be notified.

For full consideration of all aid resources, required verification documents need to be submitted for review to the SUBR Office of Student Financial Aid no later than 30 days after the initial request for information. Verification documents received after the 30-day deadline can still be verified, but the types of financial aid offered may be limited. The Office of Student Financial Aid must complete verification before the end of the academic year, or before your last term of attendance in the year, otherwise you may not be eligible for financial aid, including aid already disbursed. For consideration of federal student loans, your file must be completed, awarded, and loans acknowledged prior to the last class day of the term.

If you need assistance or have any questions about the verification process, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid, Monday - Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Central at 225-771-2790 or by email at financialaid@subr.edu    Please allow three (3) working days for all emails to be returned and two (2) working days for all voicemails to be returned.

What information is required to complete the financial aid verification process at SUBR?

Not every student selected for verification will be required to submit the same verification documentation. Generally, most students will require at least a verification worksheet and copies of the tax information, wages earned or untaxed income during the process. Additional items may be required based on your individual application and your family’s personal circumstances. Please review the financial aid eligibility requirements on your Banner Self-Service account to see what verification documents have been requested.

What happens if the information supplied on the FAFSA is found to be inaccurate?

If inaccuracies are found during the review process, corrections will be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education prior to the disbursement of any financial assistance. All conflicting information must be resolved before awarding and disbursing federal student aid. If any discrepancies are discovered after disbursing federal student aid, the conflicting information must be reconciled, and the student is required to repay aid received in excess of his/her eligibility. Resolution of Conflicting Information is required, as applicable, regardless of whether the student has been selected for Verification by CPS (Central Processing System).  

In some cases, files are selected for verification after the disbursement of financial assistance. Once the university receives such notification, additional disbursements will not be processed until the verification process is completed.


Correction Procedures

The Financial Aid Office (OSFA) utilizes FAA Access or Banner to input correction data for submission and processing. Corrections are made electronically, if needed, on a daily basis and submitted to CPS online. The CPS processes the corrected data, and an ISIR is returned to the university within 24-72 hours. The new ISIR contains a new official expected family contribution (EFC) number and confirmation of eligibility through computer matches with other agencies. The student file is then ready to be awarded.


Special Circumstances

Certain applicant's financials may require special consideration due to an inability to secure the parent’s financial information. Other household circumstances, such as a significant reduction or loss of income or exorbitant medical expenses, may warrant additional consideration. The U.S. Department of Education has made certain allowances to assist students in completing the application process. You may contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for assistance in understanding and assembling the documents required to submit your case for review.  Families with a significant reduction in income may submit the special circumstances form. Cases for special consideration generally require additional documentation. Once the Office of Student Financial Aid receives the documents, a determination will be made within 14 working days. Students will be notified of the decision by letter within 14 working days of receiving the information. Beginning the process at the earliest possible point to allow for ample processing time is critical.

If you would like to set up an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor to discuss your case, please set up an appointment through the Jag Q Less app for your consultation.

 

Award Notifications 

Students who complete the verification process are mailed /emailed an award notification. If there are changes to the ISIR/SAR, the student will receive a revised award notification by mail /email.  Campus-based aid (Federal Work-Study) will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis except for FSEOG.

Overpayments

The OSFA policies and procedures for verification are designed to eliminate the possibility of an overpayment from any fund. If, however, an overpayment does occur, the aid is adjusted, and the student is billed for the amount of the overpayment by the Comptroller's Office. A letter from OSFA is sent to the student informing them of the overpayment. A "Hold" will be placed on the student's account, which may affect his/her ability to register for subsequent terms and receive academic transcripts.  The "hold" will remain on the account until the account has been cleared.

Interim Disbursements

The OSFA does not allow interim disbursements. Students must complete the verification process before aid is awarded or disbursed.

FASFA Help
 
 
Virtual Advisor