Aid Verification

Approximately one-third of all financial aid applicants are selected for verification by either the US Department of Education or JWU.

This process verifies the accuracy of information provided on the FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, your offer for financial aid is tentative, pending the completion of the verification process.

If you are selected for verification, you may be required to complete the verification worksheet and/or untaxed income worksheet as well as provide copies of parent and student federal tax transcripts from the prior year.

Upon receipt of the required documents your application for financial aid will be reviewed. If the information differs significantly from the original information provided on the FAFSA, your aid may be subject to an adjustment. Please submit requested documents in a timely manner to avoid loss of financial aid.

Tax Verification Options (if requested)

Option 1: IRS Data Retrieval Tool
This is the quickest, easiest and most secure option. If completed, you are not required to send sensitive tax information or to provide a tax transcript (option 2).

• You may not use this tool if any of the following apply to you or your parent:
• You did/will not file, or filed an amended tax return for the previous year
• Your tax status is Married, Filing Separately
• You filed taxes outside of the US

To update your FAFSA to utilize data retrieval:

1. Login to your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.
2. Click Make FAFSA Corrections, enter your PIN and password and hit the Next button.
3. Navigate to the Financial Information section.
4. The first question asks if your parents completed their IRS income tax return or another tax return; select Already Completed from the dropdown box.
5. A series of questions display that determine your eligibility to use the tool; if your answer is None Of The Above, you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
6. If you select None Of The Above, you will be presented with the option to enter your PIN and link to the IRS (you’ll be notified you are leaving FAFSA on the web, click OK).
7. On the IRS website, enter the requested information exactly as it’s listed on your tax return and submit.
8. If the IRS is able to validate your identification, your IRS tax info will display; click Transfer Now and return to the FAFSA website using the links provided.
9. If you (the student) filed taxes as well, proceed to Student Tax Information in the Financial Information section of the FAFSA – and repeat the same steps to retrieve and submit your tax information.

Option 2: IRS Tax Return Transcript
You can order your tax return transcript online at www.irs.gov (click Order a Return or Account Transcript under Tools) or by phone (call 1-800-908-9946). Your transcript will be mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days after your request has been processed.

The IRS will mail your transcript to the address listed on your tax return. Once you receive your transcript, submit it to our office:

• Email a scanned copy to sfs.pvd@jwu.edu  
• Fax a copy to 401-598-1040
• Mail a copy to Johnson & Wales University, PO Box 5956, Providence, RI 02903
• Or, bring it to Student Financial Services