The U.S. Department of Education requires universities to verify the accuracy of information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This requirement means that each year a percentage of students who complete the FAFSA are selected for the verification process.
If you receive notification that you have been selected for the verification process, you must complete and submit all of the requested documentation in order to receive your financial aid offer. We strongly encourage you to review the information provided below.
We have established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the verification process. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal that will guide you and your parents through the process.
You will use this pathway if you receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org, or a postcard from Inceptia, containing a unique link to start completing your verification.
We encourage you to begin the verification process within 7 days of receiving notification from Verification Gateway to ensure you receive your financial aid in time for payments.
Within our FinAid Portal, you can access a list of documents you are required to submit to complete the verification process.
You will use this pathway if you receive an email from our office.
1. Access UMD’s unique Verification Gateway website.
- The link above will also be included in your email from Inceptia, VGCS@inceptia.org
2. Create your Verification Gateway account.
- When you create your Verification Gateway account, you will also set up your preferences for text messages and e-signatures.
3. Complete your task list.
- Within the Verification Gateway, you will find instructions on how to complete your task list.
- Before completing the process, you confirm your signature, review your information, and sign your account.
If you are a dependent student, your parent also needs to create their own Verification Gateway account and complete each of the steps above. If you have questions about Verification Gateway, please contact Inceptia Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7 pm Central at 888.374.847 or VGCS@inceptia.org.
Please complete this process as soon as possible. Your financial aid offer cannot be released until this process has been completed.
1. Log in to your FinAid Portal.
- Before you log in, you must select the desired academic year from the drop-down menu.
- Then, select the Access Financial Aid Portal button. You will be prompted to enter your Directory ID and password to access the secure portal.
- If you have not already done so, you need to create a Directory ID and password.
- If you have not already done so, you need to create a Directory ID and password.
2. Review and complete the required verification documents.
- Navigate to the View and Complete Your Verification and Award Documents page, which can be found within the To-Do section of the portal.
- Here, you will see a list of the documents you are required to submit. Please read the instructions carefully for completing each document.
- It is important that you include your University ID (UID) on all documents you submit. Failing to do so may result in delayed receipt of your financial aid offer.
- All documents can be uploaded and submitted through the FinAid Portal. Please only upload the requested documents and forms.
- Please do not email documents containing personal information (such as your social security number or date of birth) without encryption.
Please complete this process as soon as possible. Your financial aid offer cannot be released until this process has been completed.
During the verification process, you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) may be asked to provide federal tax information.
If this is the case, the steps you follow will depend on whether the associated tax return has been filed or not. If federal tax information is required for you to complete the verification process, please carefully read the information provided below:
- Starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA, if you have filed the associated tax return, please return to your FAFSA and provide consent and approval to retrieve and disclose federal tax information from each contributor on the FAFSA to electronically transfer the federal tax information to your FAFSA.
- In some cases, you or your parent/guardian may not be able to provide consent and approval. In this instance, please visit the IRS website to request your tax return transcript. Once you have received the transcript and written your University ID number on it, you can upload it through the FinAid Portal.
- In some cases, you or your parent/guardian may not be able to provide consent and approval. In this instance, please visit the IRS website to request your tax return transcript. Once you have received the transcript and written your University ID number on it, you can upload it through the FinAid Portal.
- If you have not filed and are not required to file the associated tax return, please use IRS form 4506-T to request a Verification of Non-Filing Letter for either an independent student (and spouse, if applicable) or a parent/guardian.
If after reviewing the information provided above, you still have questions about the verification process, please review our Verification FAQs.