Frequently Asked Questions about Financial Aid Verification
How will I be notified if verification is required?
The University will direct freshmen and transfer students to the Status Portal at attend.uindy.edu/
What documents are typically required for verification?
Typical documents required are copies of student and/or spouse or parent prior prior year federal tax return transcripts and a verification worksheet, but may include additional documents to fully verify your FAFSA information.
What is the IRS Data Retrieval tool?
The IRS Data Retrieval tool allows students and parents of dependent students to retrieve their federal tax return information directly from the IRS as you file the FAFSA. This link option is only made available if the tax return has already been processed by the IRS (electronic filing takes 2-3 weeks and paper filing 8-11 weeks). Students or parents of dependent students who should not use this tool are: (1) Taxpayers who are married but file separate returns. (2) Taxpayers whose marital status has changed since filing their prior prior federal tax returns.
Will I be required to submit federal tax return transcripts if I used the IRS Data Retrieval tool to transfer my tax data into my FAFSA?
If you were able to retrieve your prior prior year federal tax information directly from the IRS database AND submitted the tax data unchanged, then you may not be required to submit tax return transcripts to UIndy. UIndy will identify all FAFSAs where successful transfers occurred and waive the need to collect student, spousal, and/or parent tax return transcripts. You will only receive a request for these tax documents if your data transfer was unsuccessful, you changed the data before transferring, or if UIndy determines that copies will alleviate discrepant information in the verification process.
Can I go back into my FAFSA and use the IRS Data Retrieval tool?
Yes. It is the recommended option. Go to studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, log into the student's FAFSA record, select "Make FAFSA Corrections," and navigate to the Financial Information section(s) of the form. From there, follow the instructions to determine if you and/or your parent(s) or spouse are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your IRS income tax information into your FAFSA.
If I am not eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool, how may I request a federal tax return transcript from the IRS?
If you and/or your parent(s) or spouse are ineligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool, you may order a federal tax return transcript from the IRS online at www.irs.gov or by phone at 1-800-908-9946. We advise that you keep a copy of the transcript before submitting to UIndy as the IRS will typically only allow you to request one copy per online order for each tax year. However, if you should need to request a second or subsequent return transcript copy, you may do so but may need to wait several weeks after your first online request. You may also make an appointment with an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center with a photo ID to request a second copy.
May I provide a signed paper copy of my 1040 tax form if I am unable to obtain a tax return transcript from the IRS?
Yes, you may submit a copy of your federal tax forms, signed and dated by the tax payer along with schedules 1,2, and 3, if applicable.
Where can I find the verification worksheet?
You may find the verification worksheet (Dependent or Independent) and other Financial Aid forms on the Status Portal (freshmen and transfer) at attend.uindy.edu/
How can I determine if my verification documents have been received?
You may monitor outstanding financial aid document requests through the Verification Portal as well as via My UIndy self-service access under My Financial Aid Info. Once logged into the Verification Portal, you may verify that all assigned tasks within the portal are in a complete status.
What happens if I don't provide the required forms and documents?
Before your application for financial aid may be reviewed, it is necessary to complete the verification process mandated by the federal government. During the FAFSA application signature process, you made an agreement "to provide information that will verify the accuracy of your completed form." If you do not submit the requested documentation, the University cannot complete the verification process. No further action will be taken on your request for financial aid. You must submit verification documents by the last day of your enrollment period. After that date, no federal or state financial aid will be awarded.
What if I was granted an IRS tax extension?
If your FAFSA has been selected for verification and either you and/or your parent(s)/spouse has been granted an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for 2019, the University shall (in accordance with federal guidelines) accept alternative documentation to complete your verification. This documentation includes: (1) Copy of your IRS-approved extension beyond the automatic six-month extension Form 2350; (2) a Verification of Non-Filing (VNF) Letter (confirmation that the tax return has not been filed) from the IRS dated on or after October 1, 2020, or complete a Parent/Student Certification Unable to Obtain Verification of Nonfiling Letter from IRS (offered in the portal) certifying that you were unable to obtain the required documentation; (3) copies of prior prior year W-2s; and (4) if self-employed, other income source documents that will help to estimate profit or loss. Self-employed taxpayers must also include a statement certifying adjusted gross income and taxes paid from the prior prior tax year. You must also submit a verification worksheet and all other verification documents as requested by UIndy. This pre-tax filing verification will be utilized to assess aid eligibility for federal, state, and university funds.
What documentation is needed if I amended my federal taxes?
You will be required to submit the following tax-related items: (1) For each taxpayer (student, parent(s), or spouse) who amended his/her federal taxes - a 2019 federal tax return transcript, or a signed paper copy of IRS tax Form 1040 with Schedules 1, 2, and 3 from the original filing; (2) a signed copy of the amended return(s) (1040X). If the taxpayer was able to link his/her original tax information, you will only submit the 1040X along with other verification forms as requested.
What documentation is needed if I am a victim of IRS identity theft?
You will obtain a Tax Return DataBase View (TRDBV) transcript from the IRS by calling the IRS's Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) at 1-800-908-4490. Once received, you will submit your TRDBV along with a signed statement (as directed through the Verification Portal) from the tax filer(s) indicating that he or she was a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft and that the IRS has been made aware. If unable to obtain a TRDBV, you may turn in an equivalent document provided by the IRS or a copy of the signed 2019 income tax return and applicable Schedules (1, 2, and 3) as filed with the IRS. Other verification documents, including a verification worksheet, may be necessary but will be requested by UIndy if needed.
How do I submit my verification forms?
To complete additional aid documents, as requested, please visit the Status Portal, for freshmen and transfer students, at attend.uindy.edu/
On the verification portal you will be able to:
- Complete financial aid forms on your phone, tablet or computer
- Securely upload verification documents
- E-sign documents (Both student and parent)
How will I know when the verification process has been completed and my aid finalized?
The University will submit any necessary corrections on your FAFSA data once all documents have been reviewed. You will receive an official award letter from the Office of Financial Aid, typically 3-4 weeks after you submit all of your required documents. If you had previously been packaged with financial aid and verification became necessary after an award letter was sent, you will receive a revised award letter to detail your final aid eligibility. If corrections were necessary to your FAFSA during the verification review, you will also receive an updated Student Aid Report Acknowledgment from the Federal Processing Center.