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What is verification?

The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects students who complete the FAFSA and asks the Office of Financial Aid at the school they attend to verify that the FAFSA information is correct. This process is called Verification.

If selected for verification, you are notified on your Electronic Student Aid Report (ESAR) that is emailed to you from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Office of Financial Aid will also send an email to your Columbia State email account notifying you if you are selected for verification and explain where you can find the appropriate forms you will need to submit.

For most students, a completed verification worksheet, prior year IRS tax transcript and legible copies of all W-2 forms are required to perform verification of your FAFSA data. In some instances, additional documentation may be requested. All verification should be completed when possible prior to the term starting for each award year.  The final date for verification is June 30 each year for the financial aid office to complete your verification.  You will not receive disbursement of federal funds and some state funds while at Columbia State until verification is complete.

Be aware after you submit your forms, it may take up to 10 business days to complete verification.  Delay in submitting verification could mean you will have to pay your current bill yourself prior to enrolling for another term.  Tennessee Promise students must adhere to that program’s deadlines for verification each year.

To find Student Verification Forms, please go to the Student Portal of ChargerNet.

(Note: Please do not submit verification paperwork and/or tax information to the Office of Financial Aid unless requested to do so. Otherwise, we are required to verify your information regardless of if you are selected verification or not.)

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