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Office of Financial Aid - Verification Process

Verification is required by federal and state government to insure that applicants are submitting correct information. This information is the determining factor in receiving financial aid funds and is of the utmost importance. The federal processor, along with Southeastern Technical College Office of Financial Aid, may select any applicant for verification.

Required changes to your application as a result of the verification process may result in a change in your eligibility, such as an increase or decrease in your Federal Pell Grant eligibility.

If changes must be made to your application, please contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss possible changes in your eligibility.

Who Must Be Verified

1. The Office of Financial Aid will verify applicants selected by the U. S. Department of Education via federally approved edits.
2. The Office of Financial Aid will verify all Title IV eligible applicants selected by the U.S. Department of Education for verification.
3. With proper documentation, the Office of Financial Aid will accept the information from another College that previously verified a student selected for verification.

Verification Items

1. For applicants selected under Item l above, the Office of Financial Aid will verify
   the items specified in 34 CFR Part 668.
2. The Office of Financial Aid will resolve and document discrepant application information for all applicants in compliance with 34 CFR Part 668.

Applicant Responsibility

1. Applicants selected for verification by the U. S. Department of Education are required to provide requested information or documentation in order to be eligible to receive financial aid funds.
2. If a Pell or campus-based program applicant's dependency status changes during the award year, or the original application was filed incorrectly, the applicant must correct the application to reflect the changed status unless the change results from a change in marital status.
   1. Pell applicants whose dependency status changed during the award year must file a correction application unless the change results from a change in marital status.
   2. Campus-based applicants whose dependency status changes during award year, except as result of marriage, must have their EFC recalculated.
3. Selected applicants must certify and/or update the household size and number in postsecondary education to reflect assured data of verification.
4. Non-selected Pell eligible students must certify accuracy and, if necessary, update the household size and number in postsecondary education as of the date the SAR is submitted.
5. The applicant must repay any overpayment discovered during verification or updating.

Documentation

The Office of Financial Aid will require applicants to submit acceptable documentation as specified under 34 CFR Part 668.

Time Period

1. Applicants selected for verification either by the U. S. Department of Education or the Office of Financial Aid must provide the requested information or documentation no later than thirty (30) days from the date of the verification notification.
2. Extension of time will be on an individual basis and based on extenuating circumstances.

Consequences for Failure to Provide Documentation

1. The Office of Financial Aid will not disburse any Title IV funds for applicants who fail to provide requested documentation.
2. The Office of Financial Aid will withhold funds for those who are selected for verification and who fail to provide the requested documentation within a specified time period (no less than 90 days).
3. The Office of Financial Aid will accept requested documentation after specified time period and will award aid when extension of time is granted.

Tolerances

For Title IV Aid, the Office of Financial Aid is not required to recalculate the EFC for an applicant. The student may be required to resubmit his/her SAR/ISIR if the application information changes as a result of verification. If a less than $400 net error exists, tolerance may be applied and the correction may not be required. If a non-dollar error exists, the SAR/ISIR must be recalculated. The Office of Financial Aid will follow the current year U. S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook's Verification Guide section.

Notification

• The Office of Financial Aid will inform the applicant of verification procedures and requirements through written and/or verbal communication. The student is notified of the necessity of verification on the SAR/ISIR.
• The Office of Financial Aid will notify the applicant of the results of verification through written and/or verbal communication.

Referral Procedures

The Office of Financial Aid will forward to the U. S. Department of Education or the College's Business Office, the name, social security number, and other relevant information of an applicant who has received funds based on incorrect information, after a reasonable effort has been made to resolve the discrepancy.

The Director of Financial Aid is required to report any known fraud to the Inspector General, U. S. Department of Education.