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Verification

What is verification and how did I get selected?

Verification is a process in which the government randomly selects aid applicants and requires financial aid offices to collect additional documentation in order to verify certain FAFSA information. Verification must be completed before we can evaluate your application for financial assistance. 

How will I know if I’ve been selected for verification?

Your Student Aid Report (SAR) will notify you if you have been selected for verification. You will receive your SAR from the U.S. Department of Education after you file your FAFSA. If you have been selected for verification, there will be an asterisk next to your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your SAR. You can also read the comments section of your SAR to see if you have been selected. Once Belmont receives and processes your FAFSA, you will receive a notification from Student Financial Services that you have been selected for verification. 

Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: If you are selected for verification, go to the SFS Verification page and print the appropriate worksheet.

Step 2: Complete the correct verification form, front and back. Sign the form. Return it to Student Financial Services along with a signed copy of your federal income tax transcript (no tax returns) and W-2's. If you are using the Dependent Student Verification Worksheet, your parents must sign the worksheet and you must also submit a signed copy of your parents' federal income tax transcript (no tax returns) and W-2's. 

Step 3: When Student Financial Services receives all of the required documents, our staff will complete the verification process. If a discrepancy is found, changes will be made and sent to the federal processor. Once the federal processor completes the changes, the student will receive another SAR which should reflect the changes.

Step 4: Once verification is complete and the necessary changes are made, the student is awarded appropriate financial aid.