FAFSA Verification

Each year students and their families apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some applicants are asked to provide supporting documents to verify the information reported on their FAFSA through a process called verification.

There are various reasons why your FAFSA may be selected for verification. Perhaps the FAFSA included estimates of federal income tax information and the actual information now must be confirmed. Or maybe the FAFSA was submitted with data that appears inconsistent or unusual, or includes the type of information that is frequently misreported. You may be selected for verification by either the University or the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Processor.

If you are a new incoming student, you will also receive notification of selection in your UNE award letter, which will also detail the documents required. If you are a returning student, an email will be sent to your UNE email address informing you of your selection and what is needed. Both new and returning students can view a list of requirements by visiting your UNE Compass account. If you are selected by the Department of Education, your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) will indicate you were selected.

UNE does not have a specific deadline date by which verification documents must be submitted; however, in order to allow for adequate processing time, all required documentation must be submitted no later than four weeks prior to the official end of the current academic year (during the spring semester).

Upon submission of all of the requested documents, it can take up to 7 to 10 business days for your verification material to be reviewed. Please note, during peak processing times verification may take longer. This usually occurs from March through August. To avoid delays and to expedite review and confirmation of your financial aid eligibility, please provide all required documentation as early as possible. Once reviewed, you will be notified of any additional documentation needed. If nothing further is required, your information will be processed and your financial aid award will be completed. Returning students will receive notification via email that they have been awarded and can then view their award through UNE Compass. New students will receive a finalized award letter by mail.

Typically, we begin awarding our returning students who have completed the FAFSA in mid-April. However, if you are selected for verification, you will not receive notification of your award until all required documentation is submitted and the verification process is complete.

While there are several types of verification that may require different documents, the most common type requires the following forms:

• Verification Worksheet (Dependent or Independent): Be sure to complete this form completely. If a question does not apply to you, indicate "NA" so we know you read it. This form can be found on your UNE Compass account.
• Signed copy of Federal IRS Tax Return(s) for both the student and the parent(s) from 2 years prior (ex. 2022 return needed for 2024–2025 FAFSA). Tax Return Transcripts are also acceptable in lieu of signed tax return copies. Visit https://www.irs.gov/ to obtain a Tax Return Transcript. 
• All W-2 Forms for both the student and the parent(s)

Regardless of the verification process for which you are selected, we will notify you of all documentation that is required. It is possible that after review of documents submitted, the Financial Aid Office may request additional documents for clarification purposes.

The IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX), formerly known as the IRS-DRT (Data Retrieval Tool), simplifies the steps to complete the FAFSA. The tool allows applicants to consent to the exchange of federal tax information on the FAFSA. The process enables the FAFSA to retrieve income and tax data directly and securely from the Institutional Student Information Records (ISIR). All FAFSA applicants and contributors who indicate they have filed their federal tax returns prior to completing the FAFSA will be required to use the DDX process to complete the FAFSA. 

Some families will not be able to use the DDX: 

• If the parents of a dependent student file separate tax returns
• If an applicant’s parents have a change in marital status after the end of the tax year on December 31
• If anyone has filed an amended return
• If the applicant or applicant’s parents (contributor) have filed a foreign tax return 

If you have never filed taxes for any previous year: 

1. Go to www.irs.gov.
2. Under “Tools” click “Get a tax transcript.”
3. On the right hand side of the page under “Related Forms,” choose “Form 4056-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return.”
4. Under “Current Products,” choose “Form 4506-T.”
5. Complete, print and sign the form. Be sure to check Box 7, “Verification of Non-filing.”
6. Mail/fax it to the address corresponding to the state in which you live.
7. You will receive the letter in the mail and can send/scan it to us.

If you have filed taxes in previous years: 

1. Go to www.irs.gov.
2. Under Tools, click "Get a tax transcript."
3. Click “Get Transcript ONLINE” (If at any point, you cannot validate your identity — for example, you cannot provide financial verification information or you lack access to a mobile phone — you may use Get Transcript by MAIL, see above).
4. Enter the non-filer’s Social Security Number, email address, filing status, account numbers for loan or credit card associated with your name, and mobile phone associated with your name.
5. Click “Continue.”
6. Select "Verification of Non-filing Letter” and in the Tax Year field, indicate the year requested.
7. If your information is successfully validated, you will be able to view your IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter.

Please note that if you have never filed taxes before, the only option you have to request the letter is by using Form 4506-T. You must complete the form and send/fax it to the IRS address that corresponds with your state. Make sure to also request that the letter be sent to your address directly and not sent to UNE as this may not always work.

Yes. To ensure accurate verification of income and wages, UNE requires copies of all W-2 forms (from both parents, students, and spouses, if applicable) for review during verification.

If a student/family does not provide the verification materials, the verification is incomplete. UNE would be unable to award federal, state, and most types of institutional aid until verification is completed.

If you are missing a W-2, contact your employer for a replacement copy. You can also go to www.IRS.gov to obtain a "Wage and Income Transcript."

In some instances, you may not receive a W-2 for earnings reportable on the tax return. In such circumstances, you must include a written description of the amount and source of income with your verification material and include any supporting documentation you may have regarding this income.

If you or your parents have filed for an extension contact our office to discuss your potential options.  

If any conflicting information or discrepancies are found between the materials you provide as part of the verification process and the information originally indicated on your FAFSA, your financial aid eligibility may change and your award would be adjusted accordingly.