Verification Information and Forms

If a student's FAFSA results are selected for a process called verification, the student, and parent, when appropriate, must submit particular income and demographic information and documentation to the Office of Student Financial Aid before the awarding process can occur. Our Office will compare and verify that the information reported on the FAFSA corresponds correctly to tax documents.  Verification is performed to ensure that student eligibility for awards is based on correctly reported information.

If data elements were incorrectly reported, changes to the FAFSA are required to ensure that the student's award eligibility is appropriate.  If a student is selected for verification, the process must be completed before an award package can be presented to the student.  When a student submits the FAFSA, a notice of verification selection is placed on the Student Aid Report (SAR) and our Office will contact the student regarding the documentation required.

IRS Data Retrieval Process

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) allows for the automatic retrieval of particular income information when a student and/or parent has filed his/her tax return. If an individual is eligible* for the IRS DRT and chooses to use it, the filer's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), US taxes paid, and certain untaxed income information is retrieved from the IRS and is sent to the school(s) when the FAFSA is submitted.

Tax filers must wait 2 weeks after filing electronically or 8 weeks after filing by paper before they can utilize the IRS DRT, if eligible. If the FAFSA is filed prior to taxes being filed, a FAFSA correction can be made at a later date. The user can return to www.fafsa.gov, log in to make a correction, and utilize the IRS DRT. A new FAFSA transaction will then be sent to the school(s) indicated on the FAFSA.

For 2023-2024 FAFSA completion, use of the IRS DRT is available, but upon using it, the 2021 income and tax data elements retrieved will be masked to the student and/or parent. 

For 2024-2025 FAFSA completion, use of the IRS DRT is available, but upon using it, the 2022 income and tax data elements retrieved will be masked to the student and/or parent. 

 

*Applicants will not be eligible to utilize the IRS DRT if:

  • The student, parent, or spouse, as applicable, filed an amended return, or
  • A married independent applicant and spouse filed separate tax returns, or
  • The married parents of a dependent student filed separate tax returns, or
  • An applicant or applicant's parent(s) had a change in marital status after the end of the tax year.

IRS Tax Return Transcript

If the IRS DRT is not utilized, applicants who are selected for verification will be required to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript and provide a copy to our Office. 

Applicants must provide an IRS Tax Return Transcript if:

  • A married independent applicant and spouse filed separate tax returns, or
  • The married parents of a dependent student filed separate tax returns, or
  • An applicant or applicant's parent had a change in marital status after the end of the tax year, or
  • The applicant (or parent of dependent student) did not use the IRS DRT, either on the initial FAFSA or through the FAFSA correction process.

In addition to the IRS Tax Return Transcript, an applicant has the obligation to request an IRS Tax Account Transcript, if an amended return has been filed, and provide both to our Office.  The IRS Tax Return Transcript reflects the original information, while the IRS Tax Account Transcript reflects only the changed elements.

Click here for IRS Tax Return Transcript retrieval instructions and links to smart device apps.

 

2023-2024 Forms

Demographic Information Worksheet for Independent Students

  • This worksheet is used to verify the number of people reported in an independent student's household and the number of students in the household who will be enrolled at least half-time during the academic year.

Demographic Information Worksheet for Dependent Students

  • This worksheet is used to verify the number of people reported in a dependent student's household and the number of students in the household who will be enrolled at least half-time during the academic year.

Income from Work Worksheet for Students (for non-tax filers)

  • This worksheet is used to verify how students, and spouse, if applicable, supported themselves during the 2021 tax year.  You will be required to complete the worksheet, certifying that you are not required to file an income tax return.
  • Independent students, and spouse, if applicable, who did not file 2021 taxes, are also required to submit an IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter to our office. Use this form and check #7.
  • Dependent students who did not file 2021 taxes are not required to submit an IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter, but do have to complete the Income from Work Worksheet.
  • Please complete, sign, and return the worksheet and provide to our Office copies of IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter, and all W-2s and/or 1099s, as appropriate.

Income from Work Worksheet for Parents of Dependent Students (for non-tax filers)

  • This worksheet is used to verify parent(s) of dependent students supported themselves during the 2021 tax year. The parent(s) will be required to complete the worksheet, certifying that they are not required to file an income tax return.
  • Each parent of a dependent student who did not file 2021 taxes must submit an IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter to our office.Use this form and check #7.
  • Please complete, sign, and return the worksheet and provide to our Office copies of IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter, and all W-2s and/or 1099s, as appropriate.

2024-2025 Forms

Demographic Information Worksheet for Independent Students

  • This worksheet is used to verify the number of people reported in an independent student's household and the number of students in the household who will be enrolled at least half-time during the academic year.

Demographic Information Worksheet for Dependent Students

  • This worksheet is used to verify the number of people reported in a dependent student's household and the number of students in the household who will be enrolled at least half-time during the academic year.

Income from Work Worksheet for Students (for non-tax filers)

  • This worksheet is used to verify how students, and spouse, if applicable, supported themselves during the 2022 tax year.  You will be required to complete the worksheet, certifying that you are not required to file an income tax return.
  • Independent students, and spouse, if applicable, who did not file 2022 taxes, are also required to submit an IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter to our office. Use this form and check #7.
  • Dependent students who did not file 2022 taxes are not required to submit an IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter, but do have to complete the Income from Work Worksheet.
  • Please complete, sign, and return the worksheet and provide to our Office copies of IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter, and all W-2s and/or 1099s, as appropriate.

Income from Work Worksheet for Parents of Dependent Students (for non-tax filers)

  • This worksheet is used to verify parent(s) of dependent students supported themselves during the 2022 tax year. The parent(s) will be required to complete the worksheet, certifying that they are not required to file an income tax return.
  • Each parent of a dependent student who did not file 2022 taxes must submit an IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter to our office.Use this form and check #7.
  • Please complete, sign, and return the worksheet and provide to our Office copies of IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter, and all W-2s and/or 1099s, as appropriate.

Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose

  • A student selected for this portion of verification will be required to verify their identity and sign a statement that certifies that any federal aid he receives will be used only for educational purposes and to pay for attending OUHSC. This requirement can be fulfilled in one of two ways:
    • An in-person visit to our Office, 865 Research Park, Suite 240. This form will need to be signed in the presence of an Office staff member and a copy of a valid, government issued, photo ID will be made. For 2023-2024 aid year, use this form.  For 2024-2025 aid year, use this form. Or,
    • If a student is unable to visit the Office in person, a student can complete this form in the presence of a notary, and the original version of the signed and notarized form must be mailed to the Office, 865 Research Park, Suite 240, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. For 2023-2024 aid year, use this form. For 2024-2025 aid year, use this form.