VERIFICATION

About 30% of all federal aid (FAFSA) applications are selected for verification by the Federal Processing System (CPS). Western Kentucky University (WKU) may also select applicants for verification to correct any potential conflicts in information. If your application is selected, WKU is required to collect certain documentation from you and your parents or spouse, if applicable, per federal guidelines. Information from these documents is then compared to your FAFSA information and changes are made when required. WKU must verify all applicants selected for verification, including students previously verified by another school.

Students who are selected for verification will be sent a Missing Information Letter (MIL) to their WKU email ( or the email listed on their FAFSA if a WKU email hasn’t been assigned, or mailed a request if no email is available ) requesting the following required documentation:

Dependent Students ( answered “No” to all questions in “Step Three” on their FAFSA, and had to provide parent information on their application) must submit the following forms:
	1) For the 2008-2009 Academic Year ( Fall 2008 thru Summer 2009) :
		2008-2009 Verification Worksheet for Dependent Student
		Signed copy of parent(s) 2007 federal tax return (Form 1040,1040A, 1040EZ)
			If your parent(s) did not file a tax return but earned wages during 2007, please submit a copy of their 2007W-2(s) and/or 1099(s).
			If your parents are divorced and the parent listed on the FAFSA is re-married you must also include step-parent information. For example, if you are included in your mother and stepfather’s household, please submit a copy of their federal tax return(s).
			If your parents are divorced or separated but filed a joint tax return, please send copies of all W-2s and schedules attached to the federal tax return.
		Signed copy of student’s 2007 federal tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)
			If you did not file a tax return but earned wages during 2007, please submit a copy of your 2007W-2(s) and/or 1099(s).
		Additional forms that may be needed upon request:
			2008-2009 Asset Verification Form (May be needed if required asset information was not submitted on the 2008-3009 FAFSA for student and/or parent(s))
			2008-2009 Explanation of Financial Support (May be needed if parent tax return was not filed and “0”parent income was listed on the 2089-2090 FAFSA or 2008-2009 Verification Worksheet)
	2) For the 2009-2010 Academic Year ( Fall 2009 thru Summer 2010 ):
		2009-2010 Verification Worksheet for Dependent Student
		Signed copy of parent(s) 2008 federal tax return (Form 1040,1040A, 1040EZ)
			If your parent(s) did not file a tax return but earned wages during 2008, please submit a copy of their W-2(s) and/or 1099(s).
			If your parents are divorced and the parent listed on the FAFSA is re-married, you must also include step-parent information. For example, if you are included in your mother and stepfather’s household, please submit a copy of their federal tax return(s).
			If your parents are divorced or separated but filed a joint tax return, please send copies of all W-2s and schedules attached to the federal tax return.
		Signed copy of student’s 2008 federal tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)
			If you did not file a tax return but earned wages during 2008, please submit a copy of your 2008W-2(s) and/or 1099(s).
		Additional forms that may be need upon request:
			2009-2010 Asset Verification Form (May be needed if required asset information was not submitted on the 2009-2010 FAFSA for student and/or parent(s))
			2009-2010 Explanation of Financial Support (May be needed if parent tax return was not filed and “0” parent income was listed on the 2009-2010 FAFSA or 2009-2010 Verification Worksheet)
Independent Students ( answered “Yes” to at least one question in “Step Three” on their FAFSA, and did not have to provide parent information on their application ) must submit the following forms:
	1) For the 2008-2009 Academic Year ( Fall 2008 thru Summer 2009) :
		2008-2009 Verification Worksheet for Independent Student
		Signed copy of student’s 2007 federal tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)
			If you did not file a tax return but earned wages during 2007, please submit a copy of your 2007W-2(s) and/or 1099(s).
			If you are married and you and your spouse filed separate tax returns, please submit a signed copy of your spouse’s federal tax return as well.
		Additional forms that may be needed upon request:
			2008-2009 Asset Verification Form (May be needed if required asset information was not submitted on the 2008-2009 FAFSA)
			2008-2009 Explanation of Financial Support (May be needed if tax return was not filed and “0” income was listed on the 2008-2009 FAFSA or 2008-2009 Verification Worksheet)
	2) For the 2009-2010 Academic Year ( Fall 2009 thru Summer 2010) :
		2009-2010 Verification Worksheet for Independent Student
		Signed copy of student’s 2008 federal tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ)
			If you did not file a tax return but earned wages, please submit a copy of your W-2(s) and/or 1099(s).
			If you are married and you and your spouse filed separate tax returns, please submit a signed copy of your spouse’s federal tax return as well.
			If you did not file a tax return but earned wages, please submit a copy of your 2008W-2(s) and/or 1099(s).
		Additional forms that may be needed upon request:
			2009-2010 Asset Verification Form (May be needed if required asset information was not submitted on the 2009-2010 FAFSA)
			2009-2010 Explanation of Financial Support (May be needed if tax return was not filed and “0” income was listed on the 2009-2010 FAFSA or 2009-2010 Verification Worksheet)
** If you do not have a copy of a requested tax return(s) , you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a Tax Return Transcript. This signed form is acceptable in lieu of an actual copy of your tax return. Forms 8453 or 8879 are NOT acceptable .
		It is the responsibility of all students chosen for verification to submit the required verification documentation to the Office of Student Financial Assistance as soon as possible, since WKU does not award aid until the verification process is complete.   All verification documents must be received by August 1, 2009 to guarantee a student will be awarded by the fall semester fees due date, and by January 1, 2010 to guarantee that a student will be awarded by the spring semester fees due date.
		After submitting required verification documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance, students should allow 72 hours for faxed documents and 7 to 10 business days for mailed documents before those documents will show as received on TopNet.
		Students will be notified by WKU email ( or the email listed on their FAFSA if a WKU email hasn’t been assigned, or mailed a request if no email is available ) if any additional information is needed to complete the verification process.
		It is possible that the verification process can produce a change in the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number, if corrections have to be made. If a change occurs, the student will be sent a new Student Aid Report (SAR) by the CPS, reflecting any changes made to the application and/or EFC number.
**Please include your student ID number/Social Security number on the requested documents so we can match them with your records. Failure to submit the requested information in a timely manner will delay the awarding of your financial aid . All requested documentation can be mailed or faxed to information listed below.