Federal Verification

If your FAFSA application gets selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education, you'll get an email in your Stetson University inbox. You'll also see verification items added to your MyStetson OneStop checklist. The steps to complete verification can vary depending on the academic year.

The Federal Verification process will be done through your MyStetson portal. If you have been selected for verification, you will get an email from the Office of Student Financial Aid. All the documents you need to complete verification will be listed on your MyStetson OneStop portal checklist. It is a good idea to start the verification process within seven days of getting the notification to make sure you receive your financial aid on time. If you do not complete it, your financial aid could be delayed or even canceled. Your financial aid will not show up on your bill until the process is finished.

Here’s how you can complete verification:

1. Log in to your MyStetson OneStop checklist
2. Complete and submit the items listed there

If you are a dependent student, your parent will need to complete the Federal Verification process with you.

Once you have submitted all the required documents, it will take about five to seven business days for the review to be completed. If any additional documents are needed or if there are corrections, you'll be asked for more information, which could extend the process.

Once everything is verified, both you and your parent will be notified. At that point, you'll find out if there are any changes you need to make to your FAFSA or your financial aid award.

The common documents you need to complete Federal Verification are:

• Signed Tax Returns and all completed schedules or IRS Tax Transcript for the required reporting year
• W2s or a IRS Wage and Income Transcript for the required reporting year
• Dependent Verification Worksheet or Independent Verification Worksheet

To obtain an IRS Tax Transcript or IRS Wage and Income transcript, visit the IRS website.

The deadline for missing requirements is August 1 each year. While you can finish the Federal Verification process during the school year, it is best to get it done before the deadline. This way, your financial aid package will be ready before the fall semester starts. Keep in mind, your financial aid will not show up on your bill until the Federal Verification is completed.

Any special circumstances that you may have are considered through the Request for Financial Aid Review process.