Verification Policy

VHCC is required by federal and state regulations to review financial aid applicants who are selected for a process known as “Verification” by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). VHCC will verify all financial aid applicants that complete a FAFSA and are selected by the Central Processor to be verified. VHCC also reserves the right to select applicants to be verified if information is found to be questionable. All applicants selected will follow the verification process as stated below:

1. VHCC will notify selected applicants they have been selected and advise them of the documentation required by the college to complete the process.
   1. Must submit copies of IRS transcripts if the data retrieval tool is not used on the FAFSA
   2. Must submit copies of IRS transcripts for parent(s) if they are dependent and did not use the IRS data retrieval tool on the FAFSA
   3. Must submit completed verification worksheets for appropriate aid year
2. VHCC will verify documents on receipt of information
   1. All information is correct after verification, file will be sent to Financial Aid Assistant to prepare file to be reviewed for an award
   2. Correction (s) are found to be necessary - The Financial Aid Office will make correction(s) and resubmit to the DOE
   3. Upon receipt of corrections from the DOE, corrections will be verified and file will be sent to Financial Aid Assistant to prepare file to be reviewed for an award
3. VHCC will follow-up on applicants who failed to submit documentation
   1. Second notice will be mailed approximately 2 weeks after first notification has been mailed to applicant
   2. Will verify documentation upon receipt of information
      1. All information is correct after verification, file will be sent to Financial Aid Assistant to prepare file to be reviewed for an award
      2. Correction(s) are found to be necessary – The Financial Aid Office will make corrections and resubmit to the DOE
      3. Upon receipt of correction(s) from the DOE, corrections will be verified and file will be sent to Financial Aid Assistant to prepare file to be reviewed for an award
   3. Documentation not received by applicant
      1. Applicant will no longer be considered for financial aid
      2. File will be placed on inactive status
4. VHCC will maintain verification list of applicants and status of verification for the entire aid year
5. VHCC will not award a student until the verification process is completed.

Failure to submit documents in a timely manner will delay the processing of applicants. No applicant will be considered for eligibility until the verification process is completed.

Applicants who have requested an extension for filing their tax return must submit IRS form 4868. They must provide to the Financial Aid Office a copy of all their W-2 forms or if self-employed, a signed statement with the amount of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).Once the return is filed, student and or parent(s) must provide a tax return transcript and the AGI and taxes paid will be verified

Applicants who file an amended return must request a tax return transcript and a tax account transcript from the IRS