Verification
Verification is a process mandated by the U.S. Department of Education to ensure information provided on a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accurate. When a student files the FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education may select the FAFSA for verification. If a student is selected for verification, The University of Kansas is required to collect specific documents. KU Financial Aid & Scholarships staff will notify a student if their FAFSA is selected for verification.
KU students who have been selected for verification.
Verification may take up to four weeks after all required documentation is received by the office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS). The verification process cannot be completed until the FAS receives all required documentation. A student will not be awarded financial aid until all required information is received and processed by KU FAS, completing the financial aid file.
If a student is selected for KU verification, the student will be sent a notification to the student's registered KU email account (incoming freshmen will receive the email at their home email address prior to the start of Fall classes). The student may also check the items on the student's “To Do List’ at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center To Do List.
A completed and signed Verification Worksheet for Dependent Students. A copy of student and student's parents Federal Tax Return Transcript (unless the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is used by parent and student). A completed and signed Verification Worksheet for Independent Students. A copy of student’s (and spouse’s, if married) Federal Tax Return Transcript. (unless the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is used by student) Submit all required documents promptly. Ensure that the Verification Worksheet is complete. Do not leave items blank; ensure all documents are completed. Respond to any requests for additional information promptly.If information from documents submitted conflicts with a student’s FAFSA, the FAS may require additional information to resolve the discrepancy. The FAS will contact the student via email to request additional information when applicable.
What is acceptable documentation for information from the Income Tax Return?
What if I don’t have a copy of my Federal Tax Return Transcript?
A student or parent may request a Tax Return Transcript online at: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript11
What if I didn’t file an Income Tax Return?
If the student, student’s spouse and/or parent are required by the IRS to file an income tax return, a Tax Return Transcript must be submitted or the IRS Data Retrieval Tool must be used on the FAFSA. For questions regarding filing status, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov.12 Students at the University of Kansas may visit Legal Services for Students at 212 Green Hall for tax assistance.
If the student, spouse or parent worked during the previous year but is not required by the IRS to file an income tax return, submit all copies of W-2's issued by employers. In addition, independent students, spouses and parents of dependent students will be required to submit a Verification of Non-Filing, which is available at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.
What if I didn’t earn any income during the previous year?
If the student, spouse or parent/stepparent did not earn any income, the Verification of Non-Filing (available at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript is required. Dependent students are not required to submit the Verification of Non-Filing. Only independent students, spouses and parents are required to submit the Verification of Non-Filing.
