Financial Aid Verification Process

Verification is the process of confirming the accuracy of the information reported by you and your parents or spouse on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each year, the Federal Central Processing System selects applicants to have their FAFSA verified by the school they plan to attend. The same applies to students who submit the Cal Dream Act Application in which the California Student Aid Commission selects applicants to have their application verified for accuracy. Humboldt Financial Aid has the authority to contact you for documentation that supports the information that was reported on the application. Selected applicants will need to submit all required verification documents and verification must be completed in advance of awarding and disbursing any money from any financial aid program.

While there are several reasons why a student may be selected for verification some reasons are:

• The submitted application has incomplete data
• The data on the application appears to contradict itself
• The application has estimated information on it
• Random selection 

The verification process requires that students and/or parents submit specific documentation including one or more of the following:

• Benefits Received
• Child Support Paid
• Household Size
• Income Verification
• IRS Tax Return Transcript
• Other Untaxed Income

How will I know if I have been selected for verification?

Students are notified via email (by the Humboldt Financial Aid Office) that they have been selected for verification and the requested forms/documents will be listed in the Humboldt Student Forms portal.

What documents will I need to submit?

Students have a unique set of verification forms or documents that are required for them to submit.

1. Log in to your myHumboldt portal and review My Checklists or the Student Center "To-Do List" to view the Student Forms login link. If it is your first time logging into Student Forms portal, you will need to "Create an Account" first. Once logged into the Student Forms portal, you will see the verification tasks you need to complete.
2. Only submit requested forms/documents. By submitting unrequested information, you can create a delay in service to your file as well as other student files.
3. Return the requested forms/documents as soon as possible. Your financial aid will be on hold until all information being requested is received, reviewed, and processed. Additional information may be required and requested for submission in order to complete the verification process.

How do I submit what is being requested?

Visit Student Forms for more information on how to submit required forms or documents. 

What happens to the information I submit?

The required forms or documents you submit for verification will be compared to the information reported on your Financial Aid Application (FAFSA or Cal Dream Act). If the provided information does not match what was listed on your application or if errors are found, corrections will be made to your application by our office. Refrain from making any corrections to your application during the verification process and after the process has been completed. If the corrections to your application are significant enough, they may affect the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive. 

How long does processing take?

Promptly respond to any requests for more information from Humboldt's Financial Aid Office in a timely manner as additional information may be required and requested in order to complete the verification process.

Your file will be reviewed once ALL required documents have been received. The verification review process may take 3-5 weeks especially if corrections have to be made to your application. Additional time may be necessary for processing during peak periods. Once the verification review process has been completed, the student is typically awarded financial aid within 5-7 business days and notified by email.