Financial Aid

Verification

The federal government selects some student's FAFSA information to be verified by the financial aid office. If selected for verification, the Office of Student Financial Aid will communicate what documents need to be submitted via CougarNet. Students can submit these documents to the office for review. Once review is complete (24-48 hours), either more information will be requested or the student's awards will be finalized. 

Commonly Asked Verification Questions

• 1. How do I know if I'm in verification?
  • The easiest way to identify you are in verification is if an award letter is not available. CougarNet will direct you to the "Eligibility" tab, which will list out the documents we are requesting to complete your verification review. 
• 2. What type of documents are generally requested?
  • What documents are requested depends on what the federal government is requesting to be reviewed. Some of the documents are forms that our office provides. Some documents are tax documents, income information, birth certificates, citizenship documents, etc. 
  • See "Commonly Requested Documents" below for more information.  
• 3. Where can I find what documents are being requested?
  • Once you log into your CougarNet account, any outstanding documents will be listed on your Financial Aid homepage.
• 4. How can I submit this documentation?

  • - In Person (drop box is available for after hours)

  • - Fax - 618.650.3885

  • - Secure email - [email protected]

  • - Mail - 2308 Rendleman Hall Edwardsville, IL  62026

• 5. What happens after I submit the requested documents?
  • Once all requested documents are submitted, a specialist will review and ensure accuracy. If there is conflicting information between the FAFSA and information submitted, we may ask for additional documentation/forms. We will make you aware of this via CougarNet (Eligibility). If the information matches, we will package your for financial aid. You will then see an award letter within the following week.
• 6. Why was I selected for verification?
  • The federal government selects students for verification at random. However, once selected, you will be selected each year following until there is a change in your dependency status. 

How to locate commonly requested forms

• Institutional Verification Form
  • Overview of questions asked on the FAFSA. Be sure to review form and both pages. 
  • Can be found here, as can any other institutional form we request. 
• Federal Tax Return/ Federal Tax Return Transcript Options

  • Data Retrieval Tool

    • 1. Go to http://www.studentaid.gov and click "Log In" under "Returning User?"
    • 2. Enter your FSA ID username and password. 
    • 3. Under the "2022-2023" tab, click "Make FAFSA Corrections." Review the information and "Next" through until you get to the "Financial Information" tab.
    • 4. Answer the questions concerning your tax filing status and (if eligible) click "Link to the IRS"
    • 5. Click "Proceed to the IRS Site"
    • 6. Enter required information as printed on your 2022 federal tax return and "Submit." 
    • 7. To the right, check the box that says "Transfer Now"
    • 8. The IRS-verified tax information will not be transferred to the FAFSA. 
    • 9. Continue through the FAFSA until the "Sign and Submit" tab. Sign electronically with FSA ID and password and click "Submit." (Our office will receive this update in 7-10 business days.) 

  • Federal Tax Return

    • Submit a physically signed copy of your (or your parents') 2019 IRS Federal Tax Return
    • Review if we are requesting document for you and/or your parent(s) or spouse
    • Be sure to include any applicable "Schedules" within your tax paperwork. 
    • Ensure the tax form is signed by the "Sign Here" on page 1 with an original signature (electronic is not accepted).

  • Federal Tax Return Transcript

    • If you (or your parent/s or spouse) cannot locate a copy of your/their 2022 IRS tax return, you can request a copy from the IRS. 
    • You can request an instant/printable copy online by creating an account or request by mail. 
• Proof of Illinois Residency
  • If posted, you are being considered eligible for the State of Illinois MAP Grant. However, we must first be provided proof of your (or your parent's) Illinois residency. 
  • If dependent (for FAFSA purposes), we must see proof of your parent's residency. 
  • If independent (for FAFSA purposes), we must see proof of your Illinois residency for the past 12 continuous months. 
  • Examples of what can be submitted as proof include: 
    • - Your/parent's signed 2022 ILLINOIS tax return
    • - Valid drivers license showing appropriate date range
    • - Full listing of other documentation that may be submitted. 
• Any other forms 
  • Found online here. 
  • We can only accept original signatures. Electronic signatures are not accepted.