AwardYear: 1995-1996 ChapterNumber: 2 ChapterTitle: Required Verification Items And Acceptable Documentation Section: Required Documentation PageNumber: For each of the required verification items, specific documentation is acceptable, and you have the authority to require students to provide such documentation. As an aid in completing the verification process, ED has developed Verification Worksheets which are specifically designed to obtain most of the documentation needed for verification. (See pp. 14 through 17 for copies of the federal worksheets.) The FAFSA processors may also have their own verification worksheets, similar to the federal worksheet, specifically designed to provide most of the required documentation. You may use a federal worksheet, a processor's worksheet, your own worksheet, or no worksheet at all. When a student completes a verification worksheet and attaches the appropriate tax forms, you will usually have sufficient documentation to complete the verification process. Therefore, using a verification worksheet is beneficial and greatly simplifies the task of collecting and examining a student's documentation. A Tip for Collecting Documentation A completed Verification Worksheet, with the relevant tax forms attached, usually provides all the required documentation for verifying a students application. In unusual situations, you may need additional documents, but for most students the process can be very simple. However, use of the worksheets is not mandatory; you may choose to require other documentation in addition to or instead of a completed verification worksheet. The chart below shows other forms of acceptable documentation for each required verification item. Later in this chapter, these other documents are discussed in more detail. **[The "Acceptable Documentation" chart on page 13 is currently unavailable for viewing. Please reference your paper document for additional information.]** Using a Verification Worksheet When an application is selected for verification, the student generally will receive a copy of the appropriate worksheet with the output document. However, if you choose to require your students to fill out a worksheet for verification purposes, you must provide copies of the worksheets to any students who did not receive them with their output document. Upon completing the appropriate worksheet and attaching a copy of the relevant income tax returns, students should submit the documents to the school, not to ED or to the FAFSA processor through which they applied. The school should check to see that all required sections are completed and appropriately signed, and that the relevant tax returns are attached. (Facsimile copies of worksheets, tax returns, or other documentation are acceptable, as are photocopies. Unless specifically noted in this guide, an original signature--that is, a pen-and-ink signature that has not been photocopied or copied by facsimile--is not required.) After checking the documentation against the student's application data, and depending on whether there are mistakes or inconsistencies, you can either disburse the student's award or make the necessary corrections and updates. (See Chapter Three, "Completing The Verification Process.") |