Verification

Verification is the process by which schools review financial aid applications for accuracy.

How does Verification affect you?

  • Verification is completed by collecting the documents the student used to submit the FAFSA and comparing them with the information the student provided on the FAFSA
  • You will not be able to receive federal or state aid until the verification process is complete
  • If the student or parents file a tax extension, the student can tentatively be awarded
  • We are required to disburse aid on a tax extension

Next Steps

Follow these instructions to view the required documents needed to complete your verfication process:

  1. Log in to MyCharlotte
  2. Select the Student Self Service icon under Quick Links
  3. Select Financial Aid link
  4. Select the appropriate aid year at the top of the page, on the Home tab
  5. Review your missing documents or other requirements listed on the Home tab
  6. Submit all requested information via our Document Uploader Tool

Once received completely, we will review and process your submitted documents within 15 business days.

If you don’t submit these forms by the end of the semester, you may not be eligible for financial aid. Therefore, you will have a balance due to the university.

If you have any other questions after reviewing your account, please contact Niner Central.

Who is selected for Verification?

The US Department of Education randomly selects financial aid applications for the verification purposes. UNC Charlotte also reserves the right to select a student for verification.

Students typically are asked to provide verification documentation when:

  • Your FAFSA appears to contain inconsistent information, or
  • You used estimated tax return information when completing the FAFSA
  • Your information on a new FAFSA is different from your first FAFSA for the same year, we need you to confirm why the information changed

What is the Verification process?
  • Once our financial aid office receives your processed FAFSA, and if selected for the Verification process, an email will be sent to you indicating what information and documents are needed.
  • After all requested information is submitted to the financial aid office, your file will be reviewed. If the financial aid office has further questions regarding your file, you will be contacted for additional clarification or document requests.
  • It is your responsibility to respond to these requests. If you do not turn in the required information, your file will be held until all missing information has been received.
  • You are encouraged to contact Niner Central at any time with verification questions.You can also view required documents via your MyCharlotte account.

What documents are needed to complete Verification and what is considered verified?

Verification Form must be signed by student and parent (if required) which verifies:

  • Family Size (as defined on the FAFSA)
  • Number of College Students
  • Untaxed income of student, spouse (if required), and parent (if required)
    • Untaxed income may include child support received, untaxed interest and dividends, payments to tax deferred savings and pension plans, etc.
  • Taxable financial aid received by student
  • Child support paid by student, spouse (if required), and parent(s) (if required)

Note: We cannot accept anything less reliable than IRS-supplied evidence for verification of income data. Therefore, if an applicant selected for verification has not successfully transferred information from the IRS, or one who did transfer the information but then changed it, the Department expects the institution to require the applicant, and if necessary the applicant’s parents or spouse, to provide an official IRS transcript of their Federal income tax information.

The Federal IRS Tax Transcript for student, spouse (if required), parent(s) (if required) which verifies:

  • Adjusted Gross Income
  • Taxes Paid
  • Tax-exempt interest
  • Untaxed IRA Distributions/Deductions
  • Untaxed pensions and annuities
  • Keogh retirement plan and self-employed SEP
  • Education Tax Credits

When is Verification documentation due?
  • Students who submit information after Aug. 1 (fall term), Nov. 15 (spring term), or Apr. 5 (summer term) may not be awarded financial aid in time to assist with payment to the University and will have to pay their bill in full
  • Once financial aid is awarded and disbursed, you may receive a reimbursement

My parents do not claim me on their taxes; why am I still considered a dependent?

For state and federal financial aid purposes, a student is only considered independent if one or more of the following are true:

  • you are 24 years old
  • you are enrolled in a graduate degree program
  • you are married
  • you have children or other dependents who receive more than half of their support from you
  • both of your parents are deceased
  • you are (or were until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court
  • you are an unaccompanied homeless youth
  • you are an emancipated minor or are in a legal guardianship
  • you are active duty military or a veteran of the U.S Armed Forces

If none of these statements apply to you, you must provide parent information on your FAFSA and other financial aid documents. Extenuating circumstances may be reviewed by the financial aid office on a case by case basis to determine whether or not a professional judgement is necessary. You can contact Niner Central if you believe you have an extenuating circumstance.