Verification is a federally mandated process (34 CFR §668.51–§668.61) used to confirm the accuracy of information reported on the FAFSA by the student and contributor(s).

Students may receive an estimated financial aid offer prior to verification; however, aid will not be finalized or disbursed until verification is completed.

 

Selection for Verification

Beginning with the 2025–2026 award year, students selected for verification will see an asterisk (*) next to the SAI and an accompanying comment in the “Application Status” section of the FAFSA Submission Summary.

 

Reasons for Selection

• Random selection
• Incomplete FAFSA information
• Conflicting data
• Use of estimated income

 

Required Documentation

Students must submit documentation as specified on their FAFSA Submission Summary. All required documents will be listed in the student’s Campus Logic account.

Documents must be uploaded through Campus Logic.

Students should not email documents containing sensitive personal information.

 

Verification of Income Information

Federal regulations require students and parents to consent to the transfer of federal tax information (FTI) from the IRS to the FAFSA using the IRS Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX).

When IRS data is successfully transferred, no additional income documentation is typically required.

 

IRS Tax Return Transcripts

Tax filers may request transcripts through www.irs.gov using one of the following methods:

• Online request
• Mail request
• Automated phone request (1-800-908-9946)
• IRS Form 4506-T or 4506-T-EZ

If required, students or contributors may submit a copy of an IRS Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS. Transcripts should include the student’s name and Vaughn ID number on each page.

Documents must be submitted through the College’s secure document management system. Tax documents should not be emailed due to data security concerns.

 

Non-Filers

Individuals who did not file a tax return may be required to submit additional documentation to verify income. Foreign tax filers must provide a Verification of Non-Filing letter from the appropriate tax authority.

 

Verification Processing and Deadlines

Verification is processed in the order received. While processing typically takes two to three weeks, timeframes may vary depending on volume, document completeness, and peak processing periods.

If discrepancies are identified, corrections will be made to the FAFSA and submitted to the FAFSA Processing System (FPS).

Failure to submit all required verification documentation by published institutional deadlines may result in the cancellation or delay of federal financial aid eligibility.

Federal regulations allow verification to be completed up to 120 days after the student’s last date of enrollment; however, Vaughn College establishes its own processing deadlines.

Students requesting reconsideration of aid eligibility must complete verification before a professional judgment review can occur.

 

Fraud or Criminal Misconduct

In accordance with federal law, the College is required to refer to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) any credible information indicating that an applicant may have engaged in fraud or criminal misconduct related to federal student aid.

If suspected misrepresentation or document alteration is identified, the Financial Aid Office will coordinate with the College’s Legal Counsel to determine whether an OIG referral is required.

Federal regulations (34 CFR §668.53 and §668.56) authorize Financial Aid Administrators (FAAs), on a case-by-case basis and with adequate documentation, to exercise professional judgment to adjust elements used to calculate a student’s eligibility for federal student aid.

Professional judgment may be used to:

• Adjust the Cost of Attendance (COA)
• Adjust data elements used to recalculate the Student Aid Index (SAI) based on Special Circumstances
• Grant a Dependency Override or make a dependency status determination

Notification

The College utilizes Campus Logic as its primary secure method for the submission of financial aid documentation. Students will be notified if alternate submission methods are required.  The Financial Aid Office will notify the student via email regarding the outcome of the request. Students must monitor their Vaughn email and their Campus Logic account.

Important Notice

The use of professional judgment is discretionary and does not guarantee an increase in financial aid. All requests must be received and processed by April 1, or your last date of attendance, whichever comes first.

All professional judgment decisions are made in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy. Approval of a request does not guarantee additional funding and is subject to availability of funds and eligibility requirements.

 

Cost of Attendance (COA) Adjustments

The Cost of Attendance, is an estimate of the total cost a student may expect to incur for an enrollment period, generally one academic year of study.  COA includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, and reasonable living expenses.

Federal regulations permit institutions to adjust a student’s COA to reflect additional education-related expenses incurred during the current academic year.

 

Common Allowable COA Adjustments

• Off-campus housing expenses
• Transportation expenses
• One-time computer purchase
• Dependent care expenses

Adjustments to the COA do not increase federal grant eligibility. However, they may affect eligibility for:

• Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans
• Federal Direct PLUS Loans (for creditworthy borrowers)
• Private educational loans

 

Request Process

Students must contact to request a Budget Appeal Form. All requests must be received and processed by April 1, or your last date of attendance, whichever comes first.

Special Circumstances

Special circumstances can directly impact a family’s ability to pay for college.  If you or your parents have experienced a significant change of circumstances this is not reflected on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may request a review of your financial aid eligibility.

 

Important Note

The use of professional judgment is discretionary and does not guarantee an increase in financial aid.  This review will not change New York State financial aid eligibility.

 

Examples of Special Circumstances That May Merit Review

• Loss of employment or reduction in income.
• Separation or divorce.
• Death of a custodial parent or spouse.
• Loss of untaxed income or benefits.

 

Circumstances That Generally Do Not Merit Review

• Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of zero or a negative SAI generally have limited eligibility for additional need-based federal aid. As a result, professional judgment reviews in these cases may not result in a change to federal aid eligibility.
• Consumer debt (e.g., credit card debt).

 

Request Process

1. Contact the Financial Aid Office at to request a Professional Judgment Reconsideration.
2. Complete and submit the form with all required sections.
3. Submit all requested supporting documentation.

Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Additional documentation may be requested to support the review.

If approved, the FAFSA will be corrected and resubmitted to the U.S. Department of Education, and the Student Aid Index will be recalculated.

 

Dependency Overrides

Undergraduate Students Only

Your dependency status determines whose information you must report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  A dependent student must report student and parent information on the FAFSA.  An independent student is only required to report student (and spouse, if married) information.  Dependent students with unusual circumstances may appeal.

Dependency override determinations are made on a case-by-case basis and require documentation that supports the student’s circumstances. Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to, third-party statements from professionals such as counselors, social workers, clergy, or other individuals familiar with the student’s situation.

 

Situations That Do Not Constitute Unusual Circumstances

• Parents refuse to contribute to educational costs
• Parents are unwilling to complete the FAFSA or verification
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for tax purposes
• Student lives apart from parents
• Student demonstrates self-sufficiency

 

Situations That May Constitute Unusual Circumstances

• Abusive or unsafe home environment
• Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents
• Death of a married student’s spouse

 

Request Process

Students must submit an email to describing their circumstances and requesting consideration for a dependency override. Current contact information must be included.  All requests must be received and processed by April 1, or your last date of attendance, whichever comes first.