Verification

This review process is not an indication that you did something wrong. It is simply a required, sample audit process to ensure accurate delivery of federal aid programs.

Students need to complete required items outlined for them within the financial aid portal. Students are informed to review the financial aid portal via their "To Do" items.

• All students can access their financial aid "To Do" items using Catalyst.
• Students can also see their "To Do" list within the Bearcat Portal.

Students cannot benefit from non-scholarship aid until the verification process is complete. Any delay can cause the loss of eligibility for limited aid sources. Failure to complete verification prior to your last day of enrollment can result in total loss of aid eligibility.

Because income is a significant component in determining aid eligibility, it is the most widely verified item. Note that students who were required to complete the FAFSA with parent information will also need a parent to sign corresponding documents when completing verification.

Most students selected for income verification will complete the verification worksheet which may ask you to detail your (or your parents') household size by listing household members. The worksheet will then ask you to indicate if you earned income in 2023 (for 25-26 Academic Year) and if you filed or were required to file taxes in 2023 (for the 25-26 Academic Year). If you added Parent or Spouse datat to your FAFSA, the worksheet will ask information for them as well.

Depending on your situation the Verification worksheet may promt you to then upload further documentation:

• IRS TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT:
  • To receive a transcript, the tax filer (or someone with SSN, date of birth, and exact address used on the tax filing) needs to request the transcript. 
  • You can view, download, and print the pdf version of your transcript directly from www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript. 
  • You can also use that same website to have a copy mailed to you or request one by calling 1-800-908-9946. 
  • Be sure to request the IRS Tax Return Transcript, not the IRS Tax Account Transcript.
• SIGNED COPY OF FILED FEDERAL TAX RETURN: Students and parents needing to verify income may do so via signed copies of their filed federal tax returns.
  • Make sure all submitted tax returns are federal, for the year requested, and physically signed.  
  • Upload both pages of your Tax Return - Form 1040 and 1040A      
  • If the Student or Parent filed a Schedule 1, 2, or 3, those should be uploaded with the tax return as well.  
• AMMENDED TAX RETURN: Students and Parents that ammended their federal tax return should upload their ammended federal tax return, not their original federal tax return. 
  • Upload both pages of a signed 1040X, OR         
  • Request and upload Tax Account Transcript from the IRS. You can view, download, and print the pdf version of your transcript directly from www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript. 
• NON-FILING PROOF: Any non-tax filer will need to supply the following when selected for verification:
  • IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter obtained from IRS dated on or after filing the FAFSA.
    • Verification of Non-filing Letter is required unless you are unable to receive one.
    • Acceptable reasons for not having a Verification of Non-filing Letter are very limited and at the determination of UC. OR
  • A signed statement certifying that the student, student spouse, or parent(s) has not filed and is not required to file that year's income tax return and listing the sources and amounts of income earned from work.
  • If Income was earned, but a tax return was not filed: copies of IRS Form W–2 for each source of employment income received (or an equivalent document such as the Wage and Income Transcript).
  • *** Because you are seeking funding from the federal government, we are required to instruct persons who are shown not to have filed the year's federal tax with income levels requiring a return to file one prior to continuing the aid process. 

The IRS Tax Return Transcripts require you to have filed your federal taxes. Your request for a transcript can take up to 2 weeks from you filing your federal taxes electronically and up to 8 weeks if filed by paper/mail.

Undergraduate non-transfer students seeking aid assistance must provide the UC Admissions Office with a final transcript showing graduation, GED completion, or home school credentials. Due to the Department of Education regulations, UC will not release federal financial aid until this requirement is met.

In rare cases, a student may be selected for identity verification. It will require presenting yourself to UC personnel at Enrollment Services along with a valid government-issued photo ID, such as driver's license, other state ID, or passport.

Students who live far from campus or are distance learning student who never actually take classes will need to supply copies of identification along with a form completed and notarized. Students needing to use a notary can find one generally at their local bank.

Only submit verification documents via the financial aid portal when instructed to do so via the Bearcat Portal or Catalyst "To Do" listing.

Student Financial Aid staff will review all submitted items for verification. Assuming all documents are correctly submitted, information will be compared to your FAFSA data with necessary updates made by staff.

If changes are made, you will receive an updated FAFSA Submission Summary via email highlighting the changes made. If you have questions about those changes, you can speak with Enrollment Services staff.

Once your information is verified and any FAFSA updates made, aid eligibility adjustments will be made if needed or awarding of aid be completed.