Verification Process

Verification is a quality assurance process used to confirm that the information provided on your FAFSA is accurate. Verification ensures that you receive all the federal and state financial aid to which you are entitled. Each year, a small portion of applicants who fill out the FAFSA are selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. St. Scholastica reserves the right to select students for verification if there is inconsistent information listed on your FAFSA. St. Scholastica cannot disburse federal or state financial aid for selected students until the verification process is completed.

To complete the verification process, please follow the steps below specific to your tax filing status:

Step 1: Complete a FAFSA Verification Worksheet

Required for all selected applicants.

Reference your email for the correct academic year worksheet to complete. Only submit a worksheet for the academic year for which you were selected. If uncertain, please contact Financial Aid.

2024-2025 (Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025)

Dependent Student Verification Worksheet (PDF)
Independent Student Verification Worksheet (PDF)
You must provide a handwritten signature on the verification worksheet. Typed signatures cannot be accepted.
Not sure? Verify your dependency status.

Step 2: Submit Federal Tax Information

Most students and parents will not need to complete this step since consent was provided on the FAFSA to pull IRS tax data. In limited circumstances (i.e. recent marital status change, etc.), the CSS Financial Aid Office will require submission of the tax information through one of the two steps below.

Signed Copy of Federal Tax Return and Schedules

Submit signed copies of federal tax returns (1040) and Schedules 1, 2, and 3 (if applicable)
Please do not submit state tax return forms
Make sure federal tax returns are submitted for both student and parent (if dependent) as well as student’s spouse/parent’s spouse (as applicable)
If the student or parent is newly married OR the student/parent filed separately from a spouse submit federal tax return information for the spouse

Request IRS Tax Return Transcript

The IRS recently implemented new security features that redact (remove) a significant amount of personally identifying information from all of their documents. While these added security features protect your personal information and identity, it makes our job more difficult. As such, when submitting any documents from the IRS (tax return transcripts, W-2 forms, etc.) to Financial Aid, please list the student’s full name and CSS ID in the top right corner of the document. Failure to provide this information will increase processing time and may prevent us from processing your document entirely.

Order a Tax Return Transcript

Step-by-Step Instructions

Click on “Order a Tax Return Transcript“
Click ‘Get transcript online’
Follow the instructions to create an ID.me account (photo ID and cell phone required)
Request/Download a ‘Return Transcript’
Request/Download an ‘Account Transcript’ only if you had an amended return in the applicable year
Request a secure email from financialaid@css.edu to send your verification documents

Step 3: Submit all Signed and Completed Documents to Financial Aid

Please list the student’s name and CSS ID on all documents. Failure to provide this information may result in increased processing time and delays to your financial aid. Please make sure all federal tax returns contain a handwritten signature.

Financial Aid
1200 Kenwood Avenue, T1118
Duluth, MN 55811

If you have questions or concerns about the verification process, Financial Aid is here to support you!

Email: financialaid@css.edu — Please contact Financial Aid at financialaid@css.edu to request a secure Virtru email or portal to submit tax documents

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