What is Verification?

If your FAFSA is selected, federal regulations require schools to verify the accuracy of the information you submitted on your FAFSA. Your financial aid offer is not final and need-based aid funds, (at PLU, those with an asterisk (*) in its name), will not disburse (pay) on your account) until verification is completed.

1: Why me?

The federal FAFSA processor randomly selects students submitting a FAFSA at every school.

2: What happens if I miss the deadline to submit the required documents or don’t complete verification?

  • Your need based aid will not disburse until verification is completed and will be canceled if not completed by the time more than 60% of the term has elapsed (Nov. 5, 2023 for Fall semester, April 3, 2024 for J-Term/Spring, and April 15, 2024 for Spring semester only). Your award may be reinstated if verification is completed after the deadline, pending any changes resulting from the verification process.
  • Your class registration will be canceled, put on hold, or you won’t be able to register unless you pay your university charges without your need-based financial aid.
  • The university will charge applicable late fees on your student account owing balance.
  • You will be responsible for paying your entire costs without the benefit of your need-based financial aid.

3. Can verification change my aid?

YES! If the information on your FAFSA is different from the information on your tax forms and verification worksheet, we must correct your FAFSA accordingly. If the corrections result in a change to your award, you will be sent an email message directing you to your revised aid award on Banner.

4. How will I know if I have been selected for verification?

  • After filing a FAFSA, your Student Aid Report (SAR) will contain a notification that you have been selected for verification.
  • You will also receive an email from Student Financial Services requesting the required verification documents if they have not already been submitted. Please note that verification documents for new students are not required at PLU until after you have submitted your admission deposit.

5. When can I be selected for verification?

Any change made to your FAFSA at anytime during the year may result in your application being selected for verification.  This makes paying attention to any SAR you receive (generated after each FAFSA change is processed) very important, as well as promptly submitting the required documents. To avoid being selected for verification unnecessarily, check with us before making a correction to determine if the change is even required or necessary.

6. What if I have submitted a Special Circumstances Form?

Verification must be completed even though a Special Circumstance Form has been submitted. The Special Circumstance Form will be reconsidered in light of your verified FAFSA information.

Please note: Verification of parent and/or student information could result in an adjustment (increase or decrease) to the “Offer of Financial Aid.”