Verification

Graduate Financial Aid

Each year, approximately 30% of financial aid applications are selected for federal verification. As a result, you'll need to provide additional documentation so we can ensure the information provided on your financial aid application is accurate. If your file is selected, you must complete the process before we can provide you with a financial aid offer.

Being selected for federal verification is not a reason to panic as long as you filled out your financial aid application accurately and to the best of your abilities. Below, you'll find instructions on how to proceed if you're selected, along with answers to several of our most frequently asked questions.

 

  • Overview

    If you're selected for verification, we must verify that the information you submitted on your FAFSA is accurate. We will notify you via email if you're selected, and we cannot generate a financial aid offer for you until the verification process is complete.

    However, if you do not wish to apply for work-study, verification is not required. It's also not required if you plan to take part only in the Grad PLUS or Unsubsidized loan programs, or if you are certain you will not be attending DU within the academic year. Contact us if you are selected for verification and any of these circumstances apply.

  • What to Submit

    If selected for verification, you will receive an email from our office indicating you (and your spouse, if applicable) must submit one or more of the following items:

    • Signed tax return 
    • W-2s
    • Other forms


    In addition to reviewing the email sent from our office, you can view outstanding requirements by viewing the Financial Aid Checklist on your My4D dashboard.

  • Deadline to Submit Documents

    Be sure to submit documents soon as possible! The sooner requested documents are submitted, the sooner we'll be able to generate your financial aid offer.

    The final deadline for verification is the student's last day of attendance during an academic year or June 30 of the academic year, whichever is first. Students submitting documents after the final deadline will not be eligible for financial aid for that year.

  • Verification of Identity & Statement of Educational Purpose

    If this item is included in your financial aid checklist, the Department of Education requires us to certify that the Federal aid received will only be used for educational purposes to pay the cost of attending DU. To do this, you must present a valid government-issued ID (such as a driver's license, other state ID, or passport) and sign the Statement of Educational Purpose form in person in front of a financial aid staff member at DU.

    If you are unable to appear in person at our office,  you must submit an original notarized copy of the Statement of Educational purpose form, along with a copy of the valid government-issued photo ID acknowledged by the notary, via postal mail to our office. Our mailing address is:

    University of Denver
    Attn: Financial Aid
    2197 S. University Blvd.
    Denver, CO 80210.

    US Department of Education regulations prohibit the acceptance of identity documents electronically.

     

    > 2025-26 Statement of Educational Purpose Notary Form

    > 2024-25 Statement of Educational Purpose Notary Form 

  • Staff Updates to Your FAFSA

    If verification documents reveal inaccuracies in your FAFSA, a member of our office will correct your application electronically. If and when those corrections are made, the FAFSA processor will send an email to the address listed on the FAFSA indicating a change has been made to the file.

    If incomplete or inadequate verification documents are submitted, we'll notify you of discrepancies by email and provide instructions on how to correct them.

    Federal verification may result in a change to your financial aid award. If so, we will notify you of any changes. We encourage you to contact us for an explanation of corrections and amended awards.

    Should our review reveal you may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with your application, we are required to report this information to the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education for investigation. Examples of such information include (but are not limited to) false claims of independent student status, false claims of citizenship, use of false identities, forgery of signatures or certificates, and false statements of income.

outdoor view of campus

Required Documentation for Other Scenarios

  • Rejected FAFSA

    If your financial aid checklist indicates that your FAFSA has been rejected, it means the U.S. Department of Education had trouble processing it. Your FAFSA can be on hold for several reasons, such as missing signatures, missing consent for a contributor, or incorrect Social Security Number.

    To view the error with your FAFSA and learn about the next steps you need to take:

    • Log in to your StudentAid.gov account.
    • Fall term 2025 applicants select the "FAFSA form 2025-26" otherwise, choose the "FAFSA form 2024-25" link in the My Activity section of your Dashboard.
    • Within the "Status Tracker" section, scroll down to review your errors and actions needed.

     
    More information about making corrections to your FAFSA is available at StudentAid.gov.

  • C-Flags

    If your financial aid checklist has an item that begins with "FAFSA C-Flag," it means that the Department of Education has had one or more problems processing your FAFSA. This issue (commonly referred to as "c-flags" or "comment codes") must be resolved before we can generate a financial aid offer for you, and may mean you need to submit additional documentation to our office.

    To view the error with your FAFSA and learn about the next steps you need to take:

    • Log in to your StudentAid.gov account.
    • Select the 2025-2026 FAFSA year link from the My Activity section of your Dashboard.
      • Select 2024-2025 for winter, spring and summer 2025 terms.
    • Within the "Status Tracker" section, scroll down to review your errors and actions needed.

     
    More information about making corrections to your FAFSA is available at StudentAid.gov.

  • IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter

    If your financial aid checklist includes an "IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter," you must submit a letter from the IRS confirming that you did not file a tax return.

    This letter must come directly from the IRS. To obtain a verification letter online:

    1. Go to www.irs.gov. 
    2. Click on "Get Your Tax Record" then "Get Transcript Online."
    3. Log in or complete the steps to register.
    4. Be sure to request a Verification of Non-filing Letter.
       

    Please contact us with any questions.

  • IRS Interactive Tax Assistant Confirmation (Filing Status)

    If your financial aid checklist includes an "IRS Interactive Tax Assistant Confirmation (Filing Status)," you must complete the "what is my filing status?" questionnaire on the IRS website and submit the results to our office.

    > Start the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)

    Once the questionnaire has been completed, click the "Printer-Friendly" link and submit the printed version of the results to our office.

    Which year should I complete this for?

    • If you're applying for aid for the fall of 2025 or later, complete the ITA for your 2023 tax filing status.
    • If you're applying for aid for the winter, spring or summer of 2025, complete the ITA for your 2022 tax filing status.
       

    If there are differences between the results of the ITA and the FAFSA, there may be additional documentation required to resolve this discrepancy.

    Please contact us if you have any questions.

  • IRS Interactive Tax Assistant Confirmation (Return Filed)

    If your financial aid checklist includes an "IRS Interactive Tax Assistant Confirmation (Return Filed)," you must complete the "do I need to file a tax return?" questionnaire on the IRS website and submit the results to our office.

    > Start the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)

    Once the questionnaire has been completed, click the "Printer-Friendly" link and submit the printed version of the results to our office.

    Which year should I complete this for?

    • If you're applying for aid for the fall of 2025 or later, complete the ITA for a 2023 tax return.
    • If you're applying for aid for the winter, spring, or summer of 2025, complete the ITA for a 2022 tax return.
       

    If there are differences between the results of the ITA and the FAFSA, there may be additional documentation required to resolve this discrepancy.

    Please contact us if you have any questions.

  • Verification of High School Completion

    If your financial aid checklist includes "Verification of High School Completion," we are required to verify that you completed a high school degree. Please submit documentation that shows your high school completion status. Examples of this documentation include:

    • High school diploma
    • Final, official high school transcript
    • GED certificate
    • Academic transcript indicating the date of conferral of an associate's or bachelor's degree

Contact

 

Financial Aid