Verification Information

Students in this group must verify the following if they are tax filers:

• Adjusted gross income
• U.S. income tax paid
• Untaxed portions of IRA distributions
• Untaxed portions of pensions
• IRA deductions and payments
• Tax-exempt interest income
• Education credits
• Household size
• Number in college

Students who are not tax filers must verify the following:

• Income earned from work
• Household size
• Number in college

Students must verify high school completion status and identity/statement of educational purpose.

Students must verify high school completion status and identity/statement of educational purpose in addition to the items in the Standard Verification Group.

Students can also be selected for verification by The Office of Financial Aid. These students are part of the Institutionally Selected Group. This verification group is separate from the groups listed above, however the requirements are similar to the V1 – Standard Verification Group.

V1 – Standard

• Dependent/Independent Verification worksheet
• Submit a copy of student and parent(s) 2021 tax information
• Submit a copy of student and parent(s) W-2’s
• Other forms we may require:
  • Dependent/Independent Monthly Expense Form
  • Marital Status Form

V4 – Custom (Additional information is in the “Other Documentation Required” section)

• Statement of Identity and Educational Purpose Form
• High school completion status

V5 – Aggregate

• Statement of Identity and Educational Purpose Form
• High school completion status
• Dependent/Independent Verification worksheet
• Submit a copy of student and parent(s) 2021 tax information
• Submit a copy of student and parent(s) W-2’s
• Other forms we may require:
  • Dependent/Independent Monthly Expense Form
  • Marital Status Form

Institutionally Selected

• Dependent/Independent Verification worksheet
• Submit a copy of student and parent(s) 2021 tax information
• Submit a copy of student and parent(s) W-2’s
• Other forms we may require:
  • Dependent/Independent Monthly Expense Form
  • Marital Status Form

The Office of Financial Aid must obtain all necessary documentation from the student before they can begin processing any information. The verification process typically takes between 4-6 weeks. If the information on the documents matches the information on the student’s FAFSA, there likely should be no changes to their financial aid. However, if the information differs, Shenandoah University is required to make any necessary corrections and update the student’s FAFSA. Due to these changes, it may increase or decrease the students Expected Family Contribution (EFC) thus causing a change in the student’s financial aid award. The student’s financial aid may remain the same, increase, or decrease.

Students will be notified on their Student Aid Report (SAR) if they are selected for verification once the FAFSA is completed. Notification of this document is sent via email from The Department of Education. Once the school receives a student’s FAFSA, they will then be notified by the Office of Financial Aid via email if they were selected for verification. From there, students will need to log-in to their self-service online to view and complete any necessary forms.

While the Office of Financial Aid is processing your information, if any additional information is required students will be contacted via email or telephone. Once paperwork has been processed and verification is completed, students will be sent an email with updated information. If a student’s financial aid award has changed, they will need to submit a revised award letter via Self-Service within 5-7 business days of being notified.

Please Note: The Office of Financial Aid only sends email communication to students via their Shenandoah University (@su.edu) email address.