Maintained for Historical Purposes

This resource is being maintained for historical purposes only and is not currently applicable.

If Verification Reveals Incorrect or Outdated Information

AwardYear: 1996-1997
ChapterNumber: 3
ChapterTitle: Completing the Verification Process
Section: If Verification Reveals Incorrect or Outdated Information
PageNumber:


In completing the verification process, you will likely discover some
errors or inconsistencies in the application information. Depending
on the nature of these discrepancies, you may require the applicant to
update or correct the application data.


Corrections vs. Updates

When a student applies for federal student aid, he or she provides a
"snapshot" representation of the family's financial strength as of the
date the application is signed. If the information on that application
is inconsistent with the documentation the student provides, the
student either reported some information incorrectly, or the
information has changed since the application was completed.

If the information was reported incorrectly, the student must CORRECT
the data unless the errors are within the predetermined tolerance level
(see the next section).

If the information was correct when the application was filed but has
since changed, the student is only required, and allowed, to UPDATE
the application under certain circumstances. Updating is discussed
later in this chapter.

[[Applies to all students, regardless of verification selection]]
The procedures for correcting and updating apply to ALL federal
student aid applicants, not only those whose applications are selected
for verification. However, if a student's application is selected for
verification, you must completely verify the required data items
BEFORE correcting or updating.