2005-06 VERIFICATION

What is Verification?
Verification is a process, mandated by the U.S. Department of Education, requiring you to submit signed copies of Federal income tax returns and other documents to the Cypress College Financial Aid Office. If your application is selected for verification, you will not be eligible for Federal aid until this process is completed.

The following items must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office if your application is selected for verification:

To avoid unnecessary delays, please submit all required documents promptly. Also, be sure you have filled out the Verification Worksheet completely, and that all documents are signed by the appropriate parties. We cannot complete the verification process until we receive complete documentation. Incomplete documentation or blank information will cause substantial delay.

What happens next?
When the Cypress College Financial Aid Office receives your accurately completed Verification Worksheet and tax returns, we compare the information on these documents to the information you provided on your most recent FAFSA. If information from the documents you submit conflicts with your FAFSA. Responding quickly to any requests for additional information will help avoid further delays. Verification may take 4-6 weeks after all required documentation is received by the Financial Aid Office.

In some cases, the Financial Aid Office must submit changes that we have made to the FAFSA data (due to verification) to the U.S. Department of Education. If these changes impact your eligibility for a Pell Grant, you will receive a Confirmation Report in the mail to replace your most recent Student Aid Report (SAR). The process of submitting changes usually takes 8 to 10 additional days after verification is complete.


What can the Financial Aid Office accept as a copy of your tax return?
In all cases, a signed photocopy of the original return that was filed with the IRS is acceptable. Please attach copies of all supporting schedules, W-2s and 1099s. Failure to attach schedules, W-2s and 1099s can cause delays in completing verification.

If an electronic return was filed, a signed copy of the “1040 PC Format” is acceptable. The Form 8453 “Declaration of Electronic Filing” alone is NOT acceptable. If you had your electronic return completed by a paid tax preparer, check to see if you can get a copy of the 1040 PC from the preparer.

Note: A student/parent can only indicate that they won’t file an IRS income tax return if they aren’t required to file by law. Otherwise, a return must be submitted. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you have questions about your filing status.

If a photocopy of the return is not available, summaries of the return can be obtained by the IRS.

An IRS Letter 1722 is acceptable if a 1040EZ, 1040TEL or 1040A was filed. You can request this summary by calling 1-800-829-1040. The IRS letter 1722 must be accompanied by W-2s if you filed a joint return.

If an IRS 1040 was filed, an IRS letter 1722 is NOT acceptable. You must use IRS Form 4506 to obtain a summary transcript of your IRS 1040. Send the completed Form 4506 to the IRS address where the return was filed or fax your request to (512) 460-2354. Form 4506 can be used to request a summary transcript for ALL federal income tax returns and W-2s.

What can the Financial Aid Office accept for the signature on your income tax return?
Returns must be signed by the filer(s) or the preparer (a preparer’s stamp or EIN is also acceptable). Either an original or photocopied signature is acceptable. If a joint return has been filed, one signature is enough. A summary transcript of the student’s IRS form 1040 must be signed by the student (unless the form is sent directly to the school by the IRS). A summary transcript of the parents’ return must be signed by at least one parent (unless the form is sent directly to the school by the IRS).