Financial Aid
What is Verification?
Every year, the federal government will select students for verification, which is a routine process where we (CWU) need to collect information and certain documents from you (the student) and/or a contributor (parent(s), spouse) to verify the information submitted on your FAFSA.
We may ask for confirmation of your family size, income and tax documents, clarification of assets, ect. If you have been selected for verification, you will be notified via MyCWU email with instructions on how to submit the requested information.
Please submit documentation as soon as possible to allow us time to review your information.
Verification Forms
Verification Forms are available online in English and Spanish. All forms can be uploaded to your MyCWU portal.* Please note, if you are submitting verification information for only yourself (the student), the signature is not required if uploaded to your MyCWU portal. However, contributors must provide handwritten signature on all forms. Therefore, your contributor must print and sign the form before you upload it. If you do not have access to a printer, you may request the forms be mailed to. Request by email: financialaid@cwu.edu.
Click here for instructions for obtaining tax related documents: Request my Tax Information.
*Verification of Identity: If you were selected for “Verification of Identity” you cannot submit your information online. You must appear in person to verify your identity and complete a "Statement of Educational Purpose" form in the presence of a CWU employee. Please bring an unexpired, valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) to complete this process. You may complete this verification at CWU Ellensburg campus or a CWU University Center. If you are an online student, please reach out to financialaid@cwu.edu for alternative options.
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Family Size Forms
If you were selected to verify your family size, choose one of the following forms.
- Family Size Verification (Dependent Student): Complete this form if you are a dependent student (have at least one parent on your FAFSA) and were asked to verify your family size. Please note, your parent(s) must provide handwritten signature on this form.
- Family Size Verification (Independent Student): Complete this form if you are an independent student and were asked to verify your family size. Please note, student signature is not required on this form if uploaded to your MyCWU portal.
- Marital Change-Student: Complete this for if you were selected for verification, but your marital status has changed since December 31, 2022.
- Marital Change-Parent: Your parent(s) must complete this form if they were selected for verification, but their marital status has changed since December 31, 2022.
- Family Size Verification (Dependent Student): Complete this form if you are a dependent student (have at least one parent on your FAFSA) and were asked to verify your family size. Please note, your parent(s) must provide handwritten signature on this form.
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Student and/or Student's Spouse Income Verification Forms
If you (the student) were asked to verify your income information for the 2022 tax year, select which situation reflects your income/tax filing status for 2022.
- Student/Student Spouse Tax Filer: Complete this form if you, the student (and spouse if married) filed or will file a 2022 IRS income tax return(s).
- Student/Student Spouse Non-Tax Filer: Complete this form if you, the student (and/or spouse if married) will not file and are not required to file a 2022 income tax return with the IRS.
- Student/Student Spouse Assets: Complete this form if you, the student (and spouse if married) have been selected to verify asset information.
- Student/ Student Spouse Uncommon Situations: Complete this form if you, the student and/or spouse (if married) have an uncommon situation for the 2022 tax year. This includes filing extensions, amended tax returns, victims of identity theft, and non-IRS tax returns.
- Student/Student Spouse Foreign Income Exclusion: Complete this form if you, the student (and spouse if married) have a foreign income exemption for the 2022 tax year.
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Parent Income Verification Forms
If one or both of your parents were asked to verify their income information for the 2022 tax year, they will need to select which situation reflects their income/tax filing status for 2022.
- Parent Tax Filer: Complete this form if the parent and/or parent’s spouse filed or will file a 2022 IRS income tax return(s).
- Parent Non-Tax Filer: Complete this form if the parent and/or parent’s spouse will not file and are not required to file a 2022 income tax return with the IRS.
- Parent Assets: Complete this form if the parent and/or parent’s spouse/partner have been selected to verify asset information.
- Parent Uncommon Situations: Complete this form if the parent and/or parent’s spouse/partner have an uncommon situation for the 2022 tax year. This includes filing extensions, amended tax returns, victims of identity theft, and non-IRS tax returns.
- Parent Foreign Income Exclusion: Complete this form if the parent and/or parent’s spouse/partner have a foreign income exemption for the 2022 tax year.
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