Verification

Verification is a federally mandated review process. The office of financial aid is required to confirm the accuracy of information submitted on the FAFSA for students who have been selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students are notified by email if they are selected for verification. Students may also review their financial aid status on Self-Service in Gator Hub. Students selected for verification must submit all required documents. Verification can be a lengthy process; therefore we strongly recommend that students and their families submit the requested documents as soon as possible.

Failure to submit requested documentation may result in cancellation of aid previously offered. Federal student financial assistance (e.g. Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans, etc.) cannot be processed or credited to the student’s account until the verification process is complete.

Any differences between information on documents submitted to the office of financial aid and information on the FAFSA will result in a new determination of financial need. This new determination of financial need may alter the student’s financial aid awards and eligibility. Students will be notified when a revised financial aid award has been generated due to verification adjustments.

Please be aware of financial aid deadlines. If the requested documents/data is not provided, you will be forfeiting your financial aid.

Verification Documents & Forms

If selected for verification, you will be notified via email about what specific forms are required. Only submit the forms that have been requested.

Exceptions to the IRS Data Retrieval Tool & Tax Return Transcript

For amended tax returns, the following must be submitted:

SIGNED Copy of Original Tax Return OR
Tax Return Transcript AND a SIGNED Copy of the 1040X Form

For students/parents who have been granted a tax filing extension, the following may be submitted:

Copy of IRS Form 4868 (application for automatic extension) AND
Copies of all W-2s (unless self-employed – provide a signed statement of AGI and taxes paid)

Additional Info

IRS Data Retrieval Tool

If you are selected for verification and have not used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) on the FAFSA, you will be asked to do so. This process allows you to import your tax information directly from the IRS into your FAFSA application. If possible, utilize this option. Click here for directions on how to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

The DRT will not be available under the following circumstances:

A joint tax return was filed for the student or the student’s parents and they have filed the FAFSA with a marital status of separated, divorced or widowed.
If the tax filer is married to someone other than the individual included on the joint tax return.
If the parent or student was not married in the prior year but is married at the time the FAFSA is filed. The current spouse’s income must be reported on the FAFSA.
If the parents or the student is married but filed tax returns separately.
If an amended tax return was filed.

When is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool available?

The timing of when the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will be available to you depends on if you owe taxes at the time of filing and if you filed electronically or by paper. See the table below for more details.

	Electronic Filing	Paper Filing
Filer who either did not owe an amount, or is expecting a refund	2-3 weeks after submission in most cases	8-11 weeks later in most cases
Filer who owed an amount, and made a full payment while filing	2-3 weeks after submission in most cases	IRS will start processing the tax return in June, Data Retrieval Tool is available 2-3 weeks later in most cases
Filer who owed an amount, and made a full payment after filing	3-4 weeks after the payment is processed by the IRS in most cases	IRS will start processing the tax return in June, Data Retrieval Tool is available 2-3 weeks later in most cases
Filer who owed an amount, and have not yet paid in full	IRS will start processing the tax return in May, Data Retrieval Tool is available 2-3 weeks later in most cases	IRS will start processing the tax return in June, Data Retrieval Tool is available 2-3 weeks later in most cases

Tax Return Transcript

If you are not able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you must request a tax return transcript (not a tax account transcript) directly from the IRS using one of these methods:

Online

Go to the IRS website to request a paper transcript that will be mailed to the requestor within 5 to 10 days. THIS CANNOT BE SENT DIRECTLY TO NDMU. After you receive it, send it to the office of financial aid at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

By Phone

Call (800) 908-9946 to request a paper transcript that will be mailed to the requestor within 5 to 10 days. THIS CANNOT BE SENT DIRECTLY TO NDMU. After you receive it, send it to the office of financial aid at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

By Mail

Use the IRS FORM 4506T-EZ to request a paper transcript that will be mailed to the requestor within 5 to 10 days. Transcripts ordered using this method can be mailed directly to NDMU by the IRS only if the tax filer requests this on line five.

If an IRS 1040 Will Not and is Not Required to be Filed

The filers must attest that an IRS 1040 has not and will not be filed and that the IRS 1040 is not required to be filed. Copies of all W-2 forms from all employers must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.
Applicants filing a Puerto Rico tax return or a foreign tax return may not use the IRS Tax Retrieval and must send a signed and notarized copy of their tax documents translated into English.

When can I request my Tax Return Transcripts?

When you are able to request a copy of your Tax Return Transcripts depends on if you owed taxes at the time of filing and whether you filed electronically or by paper.

	Electronic Filing	Paper Filing
Filer who either did not owe an amount, or is expecting a refund	2-3 weeks after submission in most cases	8-11 weeks later in most cases
Filer who owed an amount, and made a full payment while filing	2-3 weeks after submission in most cases	IRS starts processing tax return in June, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made 2-3 weeks later
Filer who owed an amount, and made a full payment after filing	3-4 weeks after the payment is processed by the IRS in most cases	IRS starts processing tax return in June, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made 2-3 weeks later
Filer who owed an amount, and have not yet paid in full	IRS starts processing tax return in May, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made 2-3 weeks later	IRS starts processing tax return in June, Tax Return Transcript requests can be made 2-3 weeks later