Posted Date:November 18, 2015
| Author: | Lynn B. Mahaffie, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation |
Subject: 2016-2017 Verification Suggested Text Package
Note: On December 9, 2015, we updated this announcement by replacing APPENDIX B to correct an error on page 3. Under Income Information for NonTax Filers, V6, we added “non” in front of “tax filer” in three places.
This Electronic Announcement provides, in APPENDIX A, suggested text for each of the required 2016-2017 verification items that were identified in the June 26, 2015, Federal Register notice. While use by an institution of the suggested text fulfills the regulatory verification requirements, institutions are not required to use the U.S. Department of Education's suggested text and formats, except as noted below. Instead, institutions may develop and use their own text, forms, documents, statements, and certifications that are specific to the items required to be verified for a particular student or group of students. The one exception is that institutions must use the exact language provided in the "Statement of Educational Purpose" in APPENDIX A for students who are placed in Verification Tracking Groups V4 or V5.
We suggest that each page of an institutionally developed verification document include appropriate headings and numbering that identify the item(s) being verified. Institutions should ensure that the institutional verification document collects the student’s name, ID number, and other identifying information, and that each page is identified as belonging to that student. Also, the institutional verification document should include any special instructions necessary so that students will know where, when, and how documents are to be submitted to the institution.
Dear Colleague Letter GEN-15-11, posted to IFAP on June 29, 2015, describes the Verification Tracking Groups established for 2016-2017: V1-Standard; V2-Reserved; V3-Reserved; V4-Custom; V5-Aggregate; and V6-Household Resources. Attached APPENDIX B and APPENDIX C provide important information about each of the Verification Tracking Groups. Also attached is APPENDIX D which is a chart of the availability of 2015 IRS tax account information.
If you have any questions about the content of this Electronic Announcement or the attachments, please contact our Research and Customer Care Center staff. Staff is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) at 1-800-433-7327. After-hours calls will be accepted by an automated voice response system. If you leave your name and phone number, you will receive a return call the next business day. Alternatively, you may email the Customer Care Center at fsa.customer.support@ed.gov.