The Federal Processing Center selects FAFSA applications for verification. You can tell if your application has been selected by reading the comment section on your Student Aid Report (SAR). A financial aid counselor may also select your application for verification – this is called institutional verification.
If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you may be asked to complete the IRS Data Retrieval Tool for student and/or parent tax information on your FAFSA. Click here to view a step-by-step guide to completing this requirement.
If you are ineligible or choose not to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you are instead required to submit the applicable IRS Tax Return Transcript(s) and a copy of all W-2s used in filing taxes. You can request a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS free-of-charge using one of the methods below:
- Visit irs.gov and click on “Get Transcript of Your Records” to view and print transcripts immediately.
- Call 800.908.9946
- Submit IRS Form 4506TEZ or 4506T to the IRS
Submit your request in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
