Verification
Please note...Personal copies of Federal Income Tax Returns cannot be accepted for verification.
Verification is a process authorized by the U. S. Department of Education which requires schools to solicit additional documentation from you or your parents in order to corroborate the accuracy of the information submitted on your FAFSA. Financial Aid Services will correct any discrepancies found between your FAFSA information and the documents submitted.
If your application is selected for verification, you will be notified via email to submit the required "To Dos" listed on your SPIRE account. Your "To Dos'" will provide links to download the corresponding verification worksheet, submit the appropriate
IRS Tax Return Transcript or use the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval Tool. And list any other request for supporting documents to Financial Aid Services.
You have 60 days to submit all requested documentation. Failure to do so, will result in the cancellation of any awarded financial aid or not receiving an award package.
There are many types of verification requests. You may be asked to provide documentation and proof of, among other things:
- Your status as a dependent or independent student
- Adjusted gross income, taxes paid, credits and exclusions
- Untaxed distributions, payments and interest
- Number of people in the household and number attending college
- Government benefits received, child support paid
- High school completion status, citizenship status or identity.
Note: Remember to write your name and SPIRE ID in the upper right-hand corner of all documents you submit to Financial Aid Services.
You may fax your completed and signed documents to Financial Aid Services at
413-545-1700.
Or email your scanned documents to: fadocs@finaid.umass.edu
Once your documentation has been received and reviewed, Financial Aid Services will finalize your award. If we find incorrect information reported on the FAFSA that changes your eligibility after you are awarded, we will recalculate your awards and send you a new financial aid award letter.
Freshman and Transfer Student Verification
If you are an entering first year student and meet the UMass Amherst March 1 FAFSA deadline, you will receive your financial aid award before the May 1 Candidate's Reply Date. If your file is selected for verification your financial aid award is tentative and subject to change after the verification is completed.
Transfer students will receive their financial aid award prior to their June 1 Candidate's Reply Date. If your file is selected for verification your financial aid award is tentative and subject to change after the verification is completed.
Returning Student Verification
If you are a returning student selected for verification, you must submit all required documentation to the Financial Aid Office in a timely manner. You will not be awarded financial aid until verfication of your application is completed.
