Verification

Verification is the process by which the Financial Aid Office compares the information on the financial aid application (FAFSA or CADAA) with source documents provided by the student to verify the accuracy of the application’s information. These policies are to be used in conjunction with the Department of Education and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) verification guidelines.  SDSU Financial Aid Office will verify the information on the FAFSA Submission Summary form or ISIR for all students who complete the application process for federal and state financial aid and who are selected for verification by the Department of Education or the California Student Aid Commission.  In addition, SDSU Financial Aid Office may select files for verification to resolve conflicting information.

• Verification Selection: The U.S. Department of Education requires selected students and parents to verify the data reported on the FAFSA. This is not an indication that you have completed the FAFSA incorrectly. Most students are selected for verification randomly and each year, approximately 30% of FAFSA filers are required to complete verification. Financial aid will not be disbursed until all requested documents have been submitted and reviewed. If the documents submitted require SDSU Financial Aid Office to make corrections to your FAFSA, then your financial aid awards may be adjusted in accordance with your eligibility.
• Notice of Verification Requirements:
  • Students will be notified of the documents that must be submitted through their my.sdsu portal to complete the verification process.  Financial Aid FAFSA Acknowledgement and Communication Letters are generated to their SDSU student email account and will direct students to view their Task Tile on my.SDSU for required documentation and any other actions required to complete the verification process
  • The documents that are required for verification will appear as “to-do” list items within the Task tile of my.sdsu portal. Please check your “Task” list often and submit documents as soon as possible to avoid delays in aid disbursement. The most common documents that are requested are the verification worksheet and the tax transcript. Other documents may be requested to complete verification. Additionally, the “Task” tile list contains a link for each document that you must submit. Please continue to monitor your SDSU email as well as your “Task” tile list items regarding additional documents
  • A completed file will be reviewed within approx. 4-6 weeks or longer during peak times
  • Students who fail to turn in all documents required to complete verification by the last day of instruction for the semester of attendance, may be ineligible for financial aid.
  • Occasionally, students are selected for verification after they have been awarded. If this happens, your aid will be placed on hold until verification is done.
• Statement of Educational Purpose:
  • Some students who are selected for verification will be required to present their identification in person and complete a Statement of Educational Purpose Form in the presence of a witness. To verify their identity, students should appear in person to SDSU Financial Aid Office and present a valid, unexpired, government issued photo ID such as a passport or Real ID or other state issued ID. Your school issued ID is not acceptable for this purpose.
  • Students must also sign a Statement of Educational Purpose that certifies who they are and that the federal student aid they may receive will only be used for educational purposes and for the cost of attending school during the current academic year.
  • A student who is unable to appear in person at SDSU Financial Aid Office must have their statement notarized by an authorized notary public who will certify that the student appeared before them with a government-issued photo ID and is the person who signed the Statement of Educational Purpose. The student will then submit by mail or drop off, the original notarized statement along with a photocopy of their government issued ID.