What is Financial Aid Verification? 

Verification is the process Ivy Tech uses to confirm that the data reported on a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accurate. Ivy Tech can contact students for documentation pertaining to the information reported. 

Why would I be selected for verification? 

A student might be selected for financial aid verification if there were discrepancies or mismatched data found with the information provided on the FAFSA. For example, income or tax information does not match what has been reported or a social security number or date of birth are different from what has been filed. The college wants to assist a student in clearing up a discrepancy so that financial aid can be packaged and awarded.  It is to the student's benefit to submit all requested items needed for the verification process as quickly as possible due to the fact that a student's financial aid file cannot be reviewed or completed until the verification process has been completed.

If you are selected for verification, don’t assume you’re being accused of doing anything wrong! Some people are selected at random; some schools verify all students' FAFSAs. All you need to do is provide the documentation your school asks for. This may include a request for additional tax information if your household size has changed, due to you or your parent marrying or remarrying.

What if my parent(s) or I did not file taxes?

If you were not required to file taxes, and your FAFSA was selected for verification, your school may request a Letter of Non-Filing status. You may request a Verification of Non-Filing Letter at irs.gov. This letter is available after June 15 for the current tax year or anytime for the prior three tax years using Get Transcript Online or Form 4506-T. You must use Form 4506-T if you need a letter for tax years older than the prior three years.

How do I get a copy of my IRS tax transcript?

To request a copy of your IRS tax transcript, follow the steps outlined on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.

The more you know…FAFSA Corrections

If a correction has been made to a student's FAFSA during the verification process, Ivy Tech will receive the updated FAFSA within 7 days. Once the updated FAFSA is received, the student's file will be reviewed again to ensure all information has been updated. This subsequent review will take up to 10 business days. If any additional information is needed after the subsequent review, the student will be notified at their Ivy Tech email address.

Verification Instructions & Help

  • Learn more about verification information and steps for students and parents below. To provide additional help, you can use these helpful checklists. 

    Unsure if you are a dependent or independent? Review this Dependency Status Overview.

  • Step 1: Log into MyIvy and click the Verification File Review button under STUDENTS > Billing and Financial Aid > Financial Aid Requirements or go directly to ivytech.studentaidprocess.com. If you are not already logged in to MyIvy when you enter the Verification Center, you may be prompted to log in using your MyIvy username and password.

    Step 2:  A list of requirements will appear under the Required Documents section. Click on the link for each item listed. Beside each link is a Status indicator: a green checkmark means complete and a red circle means incomplete/rejected. If you have a red circle, click on the My rejections link to see the reason).

    • For some items, you will answer on-screen questions; for other items, you will need to upload documents and attach them to your account. You will be given specific on-screen instructions for which documents to provide and how to submit them. Documents can be uploaded or faxed.

    Step 3: Once you have submitted all required documents, click Submit Package for Review.  NOTE: (Any required parent information must be submitted before the student can submit their complete file.)

    Step 4: Confirm that the information provided is correct by clicking the ATTEST button.

  • Step 1: Log into the Verification Center at https://ivytech.studentaidprocess.com and create your account. On this screen, indicate that you are a parent.

    Step 2: On this screen, enter requested information. If you have forgotten your username/password, click the I have forgotten my username/password link. This information must match what your student provided when the student created their profile. If you do not know what your student entered, have the student open the student profile and retrieve the information.

    Step 3: Follow instructions on this screen to create an account: Remember to write down answers to your security questions in the event you have to have the account reset.

    Step 4: On this screen you may be asked to select an award year.

    Step 5: On this screen you will see a list of the questions and/or documents required to complete verification. Click on each link provided in this section and follow instructions. Beside each link is a Status indicator:  a green checkmark means complete and a red circle means incomplete/rejected. If you have a red circle, click on the My rejections link to see the reason).

    • For some items, you will answer on-screen questions; for other items, you will need to upload documents and attach them to your account. You will be given specific on-screen instructions for which documents to provide and how to submit them. Documents can be uploaded or faxed.

    Step 6: Once you have all green checkmarks, click Submit Package for Review.

    Step 7: On this screen, you will confirm that the information provided is correct by clicking the ATTEST button.