Verification Process

Verification Process

Being selected for verification is a normal part of the financial aid process — and it helps ensure you receive the correct amount of aid.

Here’s what you need to know so you can complete this step confidently and on time.

What is Verification?

Verification is a process required by the federal government to confirm that the information you submitted on your FAFSA is accurate. CWU is required to check that your data matches your financial documents to prevent errors and ensure you receive all the aid you’re eligible for.

Who Gets Selected and Why?

You may be selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or CWU’s Financial Aid Office. Common reasons include

  • Your FAFSA was incomplete or contained estimated information.
  • There are inconsistencies in your data.
  • You were selected randomly.
If you’re selected, it doesn’t mean you did anything wrong — it’s just part of the process to make sure aid is distributed fairly.

Required Documents and Submission Process

If you’re selected, you’ll see a “To Do List” in your MyCWU account and receive an email outlining what you need to submit. Required documents may include:

  • Federal income tax transcripts (for you and your parent/spouse, if applicable)
  • Verification worksheets
  • Verification of non-filing letters if you or your parent/spouse didn’t file taxes 

You must submit all requested documents by the due date listed in your To Do List to remain eligible for your financial aid offer.

How to Submit: Verification documents are submitted securely via Docusign. Choose the correct tax-filing status and submit your documents. Some verification requests require you to appear in person to show valid ID.

IRS Transcript Instructions

To provide your federal tax information, you have a few options:

  • IRS Data Retrieval Tool: This is the easiest way — log back into your FAFSA and use the tool to transfer your tax info directly. 
  • IRS Tax Transcript: Order your transcript online or by mail at IRS.gov. 
  • Verification of Non-Filing: If you didn’t file taxes, you may need to request an IRS verification of non-filing letter using Form 4506-T.
If you have trouble accessing IRS documents, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. We’re happy to help.

Timeline and What to Expect After Submission

Once your documents are received:

  • Allow 2–3 business days for your To Do List status to update from “Initiated” to “Received.”
  • Once everything is received, the full verification review can take 6–8 weeks, especially between May and October. 
  • You’ll be notified if your award changes as a result of verification.

If your documents are incomplete, you’ll receive an email explaining what’s missing. Be sure to check your CWU Outlook email and MyCWU To Do List regularly to avoid delays.

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