Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be selected for review in a process called verification. Verification is the confirmation that the information provided on a student's FAFSA is correct. Don’t be alarmed, about 30% of all FASFA’s are selected and the process is a quality control tool used to protect tax payer dollars. Being selected does not mean that you did anything wrong. The Department of Education requires colleges and universities through various forms of documentation to verify or confirm the data reported by students and their parent(s)/spouse on the FAFSA.

The Student Aid Report contained information notifying you that you have been selected and MSU will inform you of specific items needed. You can check the status of your verification in the My Eligibility section of MyInfo. Please follow the instructions on the form carefully and turn in all requested documentation promptly to avoid a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid.  Awards cannot be accepted in My Info until the verification process is complete.

All required documents should be turned in as soon as possible and no later than 45 days after notification. The priority processing date is June 30, 2023 and this will ensure that your financial aid will not be delayed for the start of class. Documents can still and should be completed after the 45 days and the priority processing date to provide you with the best chance to receive aid but no later than two weeks before the end of enrollment. Once you turn in all the requested documentation, the verification process could take a minimum of four weeks. You can check the status of your verification in the My Eligibility section of MyInfo.

For 2023-2024, the following documentation may be required:

  1. Signed and completed 2023-2024 Verification of Household Size and Income form.  If you are a dependent student this form must be signed by both the student and a parent.  Do not leave any items blank.  If you are an Independent Student this form must be signed by the student and spouse if the spouse’s data was used in completing the FAFSA. Forms exist for multiple years, please make sure you have the form for the appropriate year.
  2. Copies of IRS Tax Return Transcripts. Do not submit copies of your federal or state income tax returns. To obtain an IRS Tax Return Transcript, go to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript and follow the instructions, or call 1-800-908-9946. If you filed an amended return (IRS Form 1040X), please also submit a signed copy of your Form 1040X in addition to your Tax Return Transcript.

Note: Utilizing the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when completing the FAFSA or updating prior information with the DRT may replace the need to provide IRS Tax Return Transcripts. 

  1. If you did not file taxes in 2021, copies of your (and your parent(s)’ or spouse’s) W-2's for any wages earned in 2021. If you do not have your W-2’s, submitting an IRS Wage and Income Transcript will suffice. To obtain and IRS Wage and Income Transcript, go to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.

Note: If a Statement of Non-Filing is required, go to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.

If you have further questions about the verification process please see our FAQ or contact our office.