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Verification Policy

Verification is the process by which the Financial Aid Office compares the information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with source documents provided by the student to verify the accuracy of the application information. In addition, the Financial Aid Office may select files for verification to resolve conflicting information.  These policies are to be used in conjunction with the Department of Education’s Verification Guidelines and are updated annually, in accordance with published regulations.  

At Mt. San Antonio College, federal student aid will not be awarded to those students selected for verification until all requested documentation is submitted and the verification process is complete. If a student withdraws from all classes before verification is completed, the student must provide the necessary documents for verification within 45 days of the withdrawal date in order to receive a post-withdrawal disbursement (if eligible). 

Note: Students who are selected for verification by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) based on the California Dream Act Application (CADA) information will also be subjected to the same verification policy outlined here.    

Verification Deadlines for 2017-2018

The key application deadline, regulated by the U.S. Department of Education, will be followed at Mt. San Antonio College and can be located in the Department of Education’s Verification Guide.
 
Deadline for 2017-2018: All applications (FAFSA/CADA) must be received at Mt. San Antonio College by the earlier of June 15, 2018 or the last day of enrollment given that the file is not selected for verification. 
 
Note: Students who fail to submit all documents required to complete verification by the published deadline dates will be ineligible for financial aid for 2017-2018. Verification deadlines for 2017-2018 will be determined by dates of enrollment period for all financial aid programs. 
 
The above deadline date is for students who have continuous enrollment (Summer 2017, Fall 2017, Winter 2018/Spring 2018) throughout the academic year. For students who do not maintain continuous enrollment, the following deadlines must be adhered to by federal guidelines:
  • Verification deadline for Summer 2017:                            August 2, 2017
  • Verification deadline for Fall 2017:                                      December 15, 2017
  • Verification deadline for Winter 2018/Spring 2018:      June 15, 2018

Students are notified of specific term deadlines in all Missing Information Notices.

In addition, the following are 2017-2018 deadlines for processing and receipt of ISIRs:
June 18, 2018
ISIR (with official EFC) must be received by the institution (for Federal Aid except PLUS Loans)

August 31, 2018

Deadline for receipt of signature page (FAFSA), corrections, change of address or schools, or request for duplicate SAR

September 21, 2018

Verification documents must be received by the institution (provided an ISIR with official EFC was received while student was enrolled)

   

Verification Deadlines for 2016-2017

The key application deadline, regulated by the U.S. Department of Education, will be followed at Mt. San Antonio College and can be located in the Department of Education’s Verification Guide.
 

Deadline for 2016-2017: All applications (FAFSA/CADA) must be received at Mt. San Antonio College by the earlier of June 19, 2017 or the last day of enrollment given that the file is not selected for verification. 

Note: Students who fail to submit all documents required to complete verification by the published deadline dates will be ineligible for financial aid for 2016-2017. Verification deadlines for 2016-2017 will be determined by dates of enrollment period for all financial aid programs. 

The above deadline date is for students who have continuous enrollment (Summer 2016, Fall 2016, Winter 2017/Spring 2017) throughout the academic year. For students who do not maintain continuous enrollment, the following deadlines must be adhered to by federal guidelines:

  • Verification deadline for Summer 2016:                           August 1, 2016
  • Verification deadline for Fall 2016:                                     December 19, 2016
  • Verification deadline for Winter 2017/Spring 2017:     June 19, 2017

Students are notified of specific term deadlines in all Missing Information Notices.

In addition, the following are 2016-2017 deadlines for processing and receipt of ISIRs: 
June 19, 2017
ISIR (with official EFC) must be received by the institution (for Federal Aid except PLUS Loans)

September 9, 2017

Deadline for receipt of signature page (FAFSA), corrections, change of address or schools, or request for duplicate SAR

September 23, 2017

Verification documents must be received by the institution (provided an ISIR with official EFC was received while student was enrolled)

Verification Selection

The Department of Education utilizes a targeted verification system with a risk model in place to identify data elements that are prone to error. The federal processor identifies such elements to be subjected to verification with response verification codes such as V1, V4, V5, or V6.  The Financial Aid Office will verify all data elements flagged by the federal processor based on the verification code assigned.  Additionally, the Financial Aid Office at Mt. San Antonio College will perform supplementary verifications on files where there are conflicting data in the file documents and/or student records.

Notification of Verification Requirements

Mt. San Antonio College utilizes the Mt. SAC student portal which is an online platform designed to communicate with students, giving access to key information and services. Students are notified of verification requirements through student portal access to their Financial Aid tab, with personalized views of their financial aid statuses, outstanding requirements, and updates.  Additional documentation or information will also be accessible on my.mtsac.edu student portal, including messages for students to view and items requiring resolution. 
 
Students are also notified of verification requirements through the student email system: Mountie Mail established for all students applying to Mt. San Antonio College. Email communication is sent out periodically to inform students of application receipt, verification requirements, unresolved requirements, messages, deadlines, and changes in status affecting student financial aid eligibility.  Each applicant receives a maximum of four (4) emailed reminders.
 

Students who fail to submit required documents may lose priority standing for campus-based funding.

Items to Be Verified for 2017-2018

  • Group V1 (as applicable): adjusted gross income, income tax paid, untaxed portions of IRA distributions, untaxed portions of pensions, IRA deductions and payments, tax-exempt interest income, education credits, household size, number in college, and income earned from work
  • Group V4 (as applicable): high school completion and identity statement of educational purpose
  • Group V5 (as applicable): adjusted gross income, income tax paid, untaxed portions of IRA distributions, untaxed portions of pensions, IRA deductions and payments, tax-exempt interest income, education credits, household size, number in college, income earned from work, high school completion, and identity statement of educational purpose

Items to Be Verified for 2016-2017

  • Group V1 (as applicable): adjusted gross income, income tax paid, untaxed portions of IRA distributions, untaxed portions of pensions, IRA deductions and payments, tax-exempt interest income, education credits, household size, number in college, child support paid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and income earned from work
  • Group V4 (as applicable): child support paid, high school completion, and identity statement of educational purpose
  • Group V5 (as applicable): adjusted gross income, income tax paid, untaxed portions of IRA distributions, untaxed portions of pensions, IRA deductions and payments, tax-exempt interest income, education credits, household size, number in college, child support paid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, income earned from work, high school completion, and identity statement of educational purpose
  • Group V6 (as applicable): adjusted gross income, income tax paid, untaxed portions of IRA distributions, untaxed portions of pensions, IRA deductions and payments, tax-exempt interest income, education credits, household size, number in college, child support received, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, veterans non-education benefits, other untaxed income, money received or paid on applicant’s behalf, living allowances paid to members of military, clergy and others, income earned from work, and child support paid

FAO Discretion to Resolve Conflicting Information

The Financial Aid Office (FAO) has the discretion to verify any additional FAFSA/CADA information and to request any reasonable documentation that may be needed to substantiate the student’s financial aid application. If a legitimate discrepancy exits, Financial Aid staff will document the student’s file accordingly.