Verification is a review process that requires additional information to be submitted to either Montclair State University and/or New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Not all students are selected for verification.
Why was I selected?
A student’s financial aid application (FAFSA) can be selected for the verification process in one of three ways:
- The FAFSA was selected by the US Dept. of Education and must be reviewed by Montclair. Each academic year, the Financial Aid Office reviews over 3,000 applications for federal verification.
- The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will select student applications for state verification. This process is separate from the US Dept. of Education process. All document requests will come directly from HESAA and should be returned directly to HESAA. It is possible for a student to be selected by both the U.S. Dept. of Education and HESAA.
- In certain cases, Montclair’s Financial Aid Office is required to resolve conflicting information in a student’s file.
How am I notified?
Federal Verification:
Students will be informed on their FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) after their FAFSA is processed. In addition, an email notification will be sent to their Montclair State email address. The email message directs students to review NEST for requested documents.
State Verification:
NJ HESAA sends notifications to students directly via email. Students will not be able to see this on their NEST account.
What documents do I need to complete the verification process?
Generally, the required documents are:
- Verification Worksheet: Available on StudentForms portal (montclair.verifymyfafsa.com).
- IRS Federal Tax Returns: If the FAFSA was unable to do the IRS DIRECT DATA EXCHANGE (DDX). Dependent students will need to submit this form for themselves and their parents. Independent students will need to submit this form for themselves and their spouse, if married. The federal tax return must include pages one and two and Schedules one through three and A-E and must be signed by the tax filer or accountant.
How long will this process take?
Students are advised to submit their documents within 30 days of notification via StudentForms (montclair.verifymyfafsa.com). The verification process can take up to four (4) weeks depending on the time of the year.
If additional documentation is necessary after the initial review is completed, then the processing time will be extended until the additional documents are received and reviewed.
Why are additional documents requested?
Typically, there are two reasons:
- Incomplete documents.
- The original documents reveal information that was not indicated on the FAFSA and require further clarification.
Will the verification process affect my financial aid estimate?
Significant differences in the information reported on the FAFSA compared with the actual tax return or family size documentation may result in a change in the financial aid amounts. Montclair will submit the necessary correction to the FAFSA processor. A student is notified of any changes by an email message to their Montclair State email account. The email message notifies the student to review their aid on NEST.
Other FAQs about verification
- Will I get selected every year I apply for aid? Possibly. Every academic year is considered independently. If the information on the FAFSA meets the US Dept. of Education’s selection criteria, the FAFSA could be selected for verification more than once.
- Why is the state asking for documentation? NJ HESAA’s verification criteria and processes are completely separate from the federal process. Students must submit required documentation to HESAA before the state deadlines. Please be aware that a student may need to submit documentation to both the Financial Aid Office and NJ HESAA; this documentation may be the same or may be different. Students are advised to regularly check their NEST and HESAA NJFAMS for time-sensitive requirements.
- What happens if I don’t complete verification? If a student does not comply with verification, all financial aid offers must be canceled. Continue to monitor your NEST and HESAA NJ FAMS for current status information.
Is there a deadline for the verification process?
Yes, verification must be completed before the last day of the student’s semester of enrollment for the academic year.