Verification
As part of the Financial Aid Process, a student may be selected for Verification by the Department of Education. This is a random selection by the federal processor, or Norwich University may also select additional files to verify. If a student is selected for verification, it means that Financial Aid must collect required documents to verify information supplied on the FAFSA form is correct. When the FAFSA is received by Norwich, an email is sent indicating the documents needed to complete the verification process. Documents that are often requested include, but are not limited to IRS Tax Transcripts, W-2 forms, Verification Worksheet, proof of child support received or paid, schedules from your tax return or proof of other untaxed income. Documents can be completed and additional documentation may be uploaded safely and securely, through the students online portal. It is important that these documents are complete as soon as possible. No aid will be disbursed to your student account until the documents are received and your file has been verified. Verification requires that the university verify that the following information supplied on the FAFSA is correct:
- Household size
- Number in college
- Adjusted gross income
- U.S. income tax paid
- Education credits
- Untaxed individual retirement account distributions
- Untaxed pensions
- IRA deductions
- Tax exempt interest
- Income earned from work
If, during the verification process any amounts previously reported on the FAFSA need to be adjusted, Norwich University will make those corrections and send them electronically to the federal processor. Students are notified when changes are made. If these changes result in a change in award eligibility, students are sent a new financial aid award letter. It’s a federal crime to deliberately falsify any information on the FAFSA form to receive federal financial aid inappropriately. If it is determined that tampering with FAFSA information occurred deliberately, the Financial Aid Office is required to inform the Inspector General’s Office.
