AwardYear: 1997-1998 ChapterNumber: 1 ChapterTitle: Basic Requirements Section: Introduction PageNumber: This guide will assist financial aid administrators in completing verification, the process of checking the accuracy of the information students provide when they apply for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Verification is REQUIRED only for certain applicants, but you may verify the application information of any student who applies for federal student aid. [[HEA of 1965, as amended]] [[34 CFR Part 668, Subpart E]] The verification procedures are governed by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and Subpart E of 34 CFR Part 668, "Verification of Student Aid Applicant Information," published in the Federal Register on April 28, 1994, November 29, 1994, and June 30, 1995. INTRODUCTION The verification requirements explained in this guide apply to all applicants for federal student aid under the following SFA programs: [[Programs covered by verification requirements]] - The Federal Pell Grant Program - The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program*1* - The Federal Stafford Loan Program*2* - The Campus-Based Programs >> Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) >> Federal Perkins Loans >> Federal Work-Study (FWS) Verification is not required for (1) the State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) Program, unless the school is certain that an applicant's state grant contains federal funds, or (2) the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. Note that the Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program and the National Science Scholarship Program (NSSP) have not been funded for 1997-98. Under the Title IV Quality Assurance (QA) Program, participating schools develop and implement a quality improvement approach to SFA program administration and delivery. QA schools are exempt from certain administrative and procedural requirements, including verification requirements, as prescribed by regulations. The QA Program methodology provides QA schools with an alternative management approach for developing and refining their own systems for verifying institutional and student financial aid application data. Participating schools should refer to the QA Workbook for verification exemptions. NOTE THAT ALL CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR DISBURSEMENT, UPDATING, AND DEADLINES--AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS--STILL APPLY TO QA SCHOOLS. Verification Is Required For... > The Federal Pell Grant Program > Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (also called Direct Subsidized Loans) > The Federal Stafford Loan Program* > The Campus-Based Programs *except for unsubsidized loans and loans awarded for study at an eligible foreign school Verification Is NOT Required For... > The SSIG Program* > Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans (also called Direct Unsubsidized Loans) > The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program > The Federal PLUS Loan Program > The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program *unless the school knows or has reason to believe the applicant's state grant contains federal funds |