Verification Process
A student may be selected for verification by the Federal Processor based either on a random selection or due to conflicting information. If you are selected, you must provide:
Independent Student: must submit a signed copy of student's and spouse's 2007 Federal income tax return. If unable to locate a copy of Federal income tax return, you may request a Tax Transcript from a regional IRS Office. Students may contact the IRS Office at 800-829-1040. These copies must be signed. Form 8453 cannot be submitted alone without the full tax return accompanying it. Also submit Form 1722 Non-Filer Statement, if student and spouse weren’t required to file Federal Tax Return.
A Verification Worksheet--Independent Student must include all untaxed income you and your spouse received in 2007, such as support received from family, relatives and friends, the amount from the W-2 Form, Box 12 a-d (Codes D, E, F, G, H, and S). Complete Worksheets A and B on the back of the form to determine all your untaxed income. Make sure you include all members of you and your spouse's household that you provide more than half support to. This is one of the major errors found on the FAFSA and Verification Form and delays processing.
- If you are married, but separated from spouse, please provide a copy of your legal document.
- If your income is unusually low, please complete the Verification of Low Income.
- All documents requested must be received and data corrected prior to processing the financial aid award. All information must be received by the priority deadline for each semester of the student's enrollment for the 2008-2009 academic year. IMPORTANT: Make sure that all documents sent to Financial Aid and Scholarships have the student’s name and Social Security number on the documents to assure that they are filed correctly.
Dependent Student must submit a signed copy of yours and your parents' 2007 Federal income tax return. If tax returns cannot be located, you may request a Tax Transcript from a regional IRS Office. Students may contact the IRS Office at 800-829-1040. Form 8453 cannot be submitted alone without the full tax return accompanying it. Also submit Form 1722 Non-Filer Statement, if student and/or parents weren’t required to file Federal Tax Return.
A Verification Worksheet--Dependent Student must include all untaxed income you and your parents' received in 2007 such as support received from family, relatives and friends, the amount from the W-2 Form, Box 12 a-d (Codes D, E, F, G, H, and S). Review Worksheets A and B on the back to determine all yours and your parents' untaxed income. Make sure you include all members of your parents' household that they provide more than half support to (including yourself.) This is one of the major errors found on the FAFSA and Verification Form and delays processing.
- If you parents' are married, but separated, please provide a copy of their legal document.
- If parents' income is unusually low, please complete the Verification of Low Income.
- All documents requested must be received and data corrected prior to processing the financial aid award. All information must be received by the priority deadline for each semester of the student's enrollment for the 2008-2009 academic year. IMPORTANT: Make sure that all documents sent to Financial Aid and Scholarships have the student’s name and Social Security number on the documents to assure that they are filed correctly.
MAKE CORRECTIONS ON THE WEB
Students and parents who have Department of Education Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) may access Corrections on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to change all data elements on the SAR except Social Security number and date of birth. The PIN serves as the student's and parent's electronic signature.
Professional Judgment Information Statement
In accordance with federal regulations, Financial Aid and Scholarships may take into account a student's special circumstances to make adjustments to a student's: expected family contribution for educational expenses, standard budget, and/or financial aid dependency status, as determined by federal guidelines. These adjustments only affect need-based aid. Adjustments must be reasonable and documented, and the institution is held accountable for decisions made. Indicated below are the guidelines for professional judgments for LSU Alexandria. Students requesting consideration for any of these categories of adjustment should complete the appropriate form and submit it along with required documentation to Financial Aid and Scholarships. Requests will be reviewed by the Director of Financial Aid. Students will be notified in writing of the director's decision. Students submitting requests for professional judgments should allow 3-4 weeks for a response. Independent student must complete and submit the *SPECIAL CIRCUMSTACES-LOSS OF INCOME IND. The Dependent student must complete and submit the *SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES-LOSS OF INCOME DEP.
Adjustments to Estimated Family Contributions
Financial Aid and Scholarships may recalculate a student/parent's Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) for educational expenses if the student can document that student or spouse, if married (or parent, if dependent) has had a change in financial circumstances due to the reasons listed below:
- Loss or significant change in parent's income (a dependent student's income is not considered for professional judgment) - proof of prior year income (i.e., for 2008-2009, you must have 2007 income) and current year expected income (for 2008-2009, this means expected income for 2008) is required. If there is a loss of income, a proof of income loss will be required. Please note that you may be asked to wait until the 2008 tax return(s) are filed and submit a copy in 2009 to be considered for the reduction.
- Loss or significant change in income for independent students and spouse, if married - proof of prior year and current year expected income is required. If there is a loss of income, a proof of income loss will be required. . Please note that you may be asked to wait until the 2008 tax return(s) are filed and submit a copy in 2009 to be considered for the reduction.
- Roth IRA Contributions - a copy of income tax return showing distribution of IRA and proof that standard IRA was converted to Roth IRA is required.
Dependency Status Overrides
Students not meeting federal criteria for independent status may request a professional judgment to override the federal criteria. Dependency overrides will only be considered in cases where the student has been estranged from his or her family and can document this situation.
Documentation must be provided by a third party source, preferably someone in an official capacity, such as a high school guidance counselor, court official, clergy, or social service representative. Students must show they are self-sufficient for at least two years, providing income tax returns and a lease agreement. Other documentation may be accepted based on the situation. Students most complete and submit the
*Denotes listed forms are available at LSUA in Financial Aid & Scholarships office.