FAFSA Verification
FAFSA Verification is a review process mandated by the U.S. Department of Education (34 CRF, Part 68) that requires financial aid offices to verify that information reported on the FAFSA application is true and accurate. At minimum, the government will randomly select 30% of a University's population for this process. Manhattan University is also required by federal law to verify FAFSAs that present conflicting information.
A selected FAFSA does not have a finalized Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This means that the FAFSA needs to be verified by a financial aid administrator before need-based financial aid can be determined. Need-based aid includes institutional grants and federal aid (Pell Grant, FSEOG and, Subsidized Stafford loan). Therefore, pending aid may be offered, but the aid and loans on the award letter and tuition billing statements are subject to change until the verification review is completed.
Some states also validate the financial data of their state grant recipients. It is important to provide information to those sources as requested.
How will I find out if I’ve been selected?
Most students can see that their FAFSA was selected for verification by reviewing their Student Aid Report (SAR) on StudentAid.Gov after filing a FAFSA. Manhattan University also sends notification out via postal mail and/or email to impacted students. Students with selected FAFSAs are required to provide documentation as specified within three weeks from our department's official notice date. You may scan and email the documents to finaid@manhattan.edu only.
Verification Instructions for 2024-2025
Complete and sign the 2024-2025 Verification Worksheet, attaching additional documents as explained on the form.
For tax filers:
Provide Manhattan University with Federal 1040 Tax Returns from the 2022 tax year with appropriate signatures.
For non-tax filers:
-
Copy of 2022 W-2 statement(s) for Parent(s)
- Copy of 2022 W-2 statement(s) for Student
For other tax filing circumstances:
Submit other documents as requested; regularly check your MU student email account for correspondence from our office. Review the common circumstances below and supply any applicable documents to our office:
Student's biological/adoptive parents are divorced, and the parent listed on the FAFSA is not remarried.
- Copy of divorce decree
| Circumstance | Required Documents |
|---|---|
|
◦ Student's biological/adoptive parents are separated or were never married (and do not live together), and the parent listed on the FAFSA is not married. ◦ Student's parent remarried and is separated from their current spouse. |
Parental Separation form with supporting documentation (as explained on form). |
|
You are required to submit proof that you completed high school or equivalent program of study. |
Complete BOTH of the following: 1. Submit proof of high school completion. 2. The Identity & Statement of Educational Purpose form (complete in person). ◦ If unable to visit in person, complete this version of the form with a notary. |
|
Student's biological/adoptive parent is deceased. |
Copy of death certificate |
|
Student and/or parent(s) own real estate property aside from their permanent residence. |
Copy of Schedule E from the 2022 federal tax return. |
|
Student reports a household income below the Poverty Guidelines for 2021, as established by the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services. |
Please review the circumstances below if you have not filed your federal tax return or you filed outside of the United States, and supply any applicable documents to our office:
| Circumstance | Required Documents |
|---|---|
|
The student and/or parent(s) filed an amended federal tax return. |
Provide the following: A 2022 IRS Tax Return Transcript (irs.gov), 2022 IRS Tax Account Transcript (irs.gov), or signed copy of the original 2022 federal income tax return filed with the IRS AND A signed copy of the 2022 IRS Form 1040X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) that was filed with the IRS. |
|
The student and/or parent(s) have an approved federal tax filing extension. |
After filing a 2022 federal income tax return, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript. Verification reviews cannot be completed until the federal tax return(s) is filed and appropriate documentation is submitted. Please make alternative payment arrangements. |
|
Student and/or parent(s) is self-employed. |
Submit a signed statement certifying the amount of the individual’s AGI and the U.S. income tax paid for the 2021 tax year. |
|
Student and/or parent(s) filed a 2022 federal income tax return with Puerto Rico, another U.S. territory (e.g., Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Marianas Islands), or with a foreign country |
Submit a signed copy of that 2022 federal income tax return(s). |
|
Recent Victims of IRS Identity Theft If federal tax return filing is delayed due to this matter, please make alternative payment arrangements. Contact our office for more assistance as needed. |
A signed copy of the paper 2022 federal income tax return filed with the IRS and one of the following: ◦ A signed copy of IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit), if one was submitted to the IRS. ◦ A statement with signature and date by the identity theft victim, explaining that the IRS is investigating the matter. ◦ A copy of a police report filed to address the identify theft with the IRS. |
Track Your Verification Review Status
The review process may take up to two to six weeks to complete, due to the intricacies of each verification case. Verification cases are reviewed when all required documents are received, by date order.
Students can track their verification review status at Self-Service > Financial Aid > Follow-up & Current Award Status and contact us with any questions.
Verification Review Process
The Federal Student Aid Administration does not seek to take financial aid away from students, but imposes verification reviews in order to ensure that students are truly eligible before need-based aid is disbursed.
Within two to six weeks from receiving all required documents, a financial aid administrator will complete the review to one of the following outcomes:
- No changes are needed; the student’s verification review status is updated to ‘Satisfied’ on Self-Service, our office notifies the student via email that their financial aid award letter is ready.
- FSA processes the electronic corrections and sends the student an e-mail; the student’s verification review status is updated to ‘Satisfied’ on Self-Service and our office notifies the student via email that their financial aid award letter is ready.
- More information is needed to satisfy federal regulation requirements; our office e-mails the student a request for additional information.
How to Submit Your Documents
Please write the student's name and campus ID number on all forms and documents. You may submit requested documents through the following methods:
- Submit them in person to the Financial Aid Office in Thomas Hall 3.60
- Email documents to finaid@manhattan.edu
- Fax: 718-862-8027
Mail to: Manhattan University
Office of Financial Aid Administration - Thomas Hall 3.60
4513 Manhattan College Parkway
Riverdale, NY 10471
Pending Verification Reviews and Tuition Payment
- Although tuition bills may show pending aid, no need-based financial aid (including Stafford loans) will be credited to the account until the verification review is completed.
- Pending reviews, for any reason, do not extend any financial aid and/or payment deadlines. Students must make payment arrangements to cover the balance, excluding all tentative need-based aid.
- Failure to comply within three weeks of the official notice date may result in the cancellation of all need-based aid and the student will be responsible for the larger balance due accordingly.