Verification FAQs

What is verification?

Verification is the process used to check the accuracy of information submitted by students on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are selected for verification, we must verify this information before you are offered financial aid.

If there are differences between your self-reported FAFSA information and the information you/your parent(s) provided as part of the verification process (including your federal tax return), we may update your FAFSA and recalculate your financial aid eligibility.

Why was I selected for verification?

The U.S. Department of Education chooses student applications for verification and requires that universities check the accuracy of the information provided on the FAFSA or the renewal application.

Didn’t I already provide this information on the FAFSA?

Yes, you did already answer these questions or provide the information on the FAFSA. Verification is a process where we make sure that you have filled out the FAFSA correctly.

Do I have to complete the verification process?

Yes, you must complete and submit the requested verification documents for your financial aid to be disbursed. Failure to complete the verification process could result in the delay or denial of your financial aid.

Is there a deadline for submitting the requested verification document(s)?

Please submit the requested verification document(s) by April 1 to be considered for all available financial aid programs. A financial aid offer cannot be created until all of the requested documents have been received and verification has been completed.

All required forms and documents for verification must be submitted before the conclusion of the semester to be considered for federal aid according to federal regulations.

How do I submit the requested verification document(s)?

For detailed information on how to complete the verification process through UMD’s Financial Aid Portal or through UMD-Inceptia Verification Gateway, please visit our Verification Process page.

What is UMD-Inceptia Verification Gateway?

Inceptia, a UMD partner for the verification process, is a nonprofit organization committed to offering effective and uncomplicated solutions in financial aid verification.

UMD has established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the verification process for our students through their online portal, Verification Gateway.

Once I submit all my documents, how long will it take to get my financial aid?

The length of time for verification can vary depending on the volume of students. Due to the high volume of students being verified in the spring and summer, it can take three to six weeks for verification to be completed.

If additional information is needed during the verification process, you will be notified via email. If you need to update your contact information, please visit testudo.umd.edu.

Do I have to provide my parent’s information if they do not financially help me with educational expenses?

If the FAFSA has determined that you are a dependent student, yes, your parent information is needed to complete verification.

Do I have to pay my UMD bill even though I’ve been selected for verification?

Yes, if you are in the verification process you are still responsible for paying your UMD bill on time. If you are not able to pay the balance out of pocket, the Terp Payment Plan might be an option.

I am an independent, married student and both my spouse and I did not file U.S. taxes. What documentation should I submit?

If you and your spouse did not file U.S. taxes, please submit both of the following documents:

• The Student Non-Filer Status/Low Income Worksheet
  • This worksheet can be found on our Forms page.
• The IRS Verification of Non-Filling Letter
  • You can request this letter on the IRS website or by completing IRS Form 4506-T.

If you worked in the U.S., we will also need all copies of the W-2 forms (if applicable). In the case that you or your spouse worked in a foreign country and earned foreign income, we will need a copy of the foreign taxes or a signed statement from the foreign employer, verifying the gross annual income earned. Please make sure all documents are translated to English and the currency is converted to U.S. dollars.

I am a dependent student and my parents did not file U.S. taxes. What documentation should they submit?

If your parents live in the U.S. and did not file taxes they will need to submit both of the following documents:

• The Parent Non-Filer Status/Low Income Worksheet
  • This worksheet can be found on our Forms page.
• The IRS Verification of Non-Filling Letter
  • You can request this letter on the IRS website or by completing IRS Form 4506-T.

Please complete and submit the form to our office with all copies of W-2 Forms (if applicable). If other documentation is needed you will receive an email request.

My parents lived or worked in a foreign country. What documentation should they submit?

Please provide copies of each parent’s foreign taxes or a signed statement from each parent’s foreign employer stating the annual gross income earned. Please submit a signed and dated statement that:

• Certifies that your parent(s) does not have a Social Security Number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or an Employer Identification Number; and
• Lists the sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources that supported your parent(s) for the associated tax year.

Please make sure all documents are translated to English and the foreign currency is converted to U.S. dollars.

Only one of my parents worked in the U.S. and the other lives abroad. What documentation should they submit?

The parent who lived in the U.S., needs to submit a copy of their U.S. federal tax information and the parent who lived abroad will need to submit a copy of the foreign taxes or a signed statement from their foreign employer, stating their annual gross income earned.

For the parent who lives abroad please submit a signed and dated statement that:

• Certifies that the parent does not have a Social Security Number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or an Employer Identification Number, and
• Lists the sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources that supported the parent for the associated tax year.

Please make sure all foreign documents are translated to English and the currency is converted to U.S. dollars.

One or both of my parents work for an international organization (i.e., the World Bank or United Nations). What documentation should they submit?

For any parent that works for an international organization and is not required to file U.S. taxes or is not required to pay U.S. taxes, the parent should submit a letter from the employer stating the parent’s gross annual income earned. Also please visit the IRS website to request Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS for each parent in the household.

What if I or my parents applied for an Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Taxes and tax information was requested for verification?

For any student or parent that files a federal tax extension, the student/parent must submit:

• A copy of the IRS Form 4868, and
• All copies of W-2 form(s) from employers; and/or
• If one or both of your parents own a business or is self-employed, submit a signed statement listing the adjusted gross income (AGI) and taxes paid.

What if I or my parent(s) filed an amended tax return?

Individuals who filed an amended tax return must submit the following documents to the institution:

• A transcript obtained from the IRS that lists tax account information of the tax filer for tax year; and
• A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040X that was filed with the IRS.

What if I or my parents are a victim of identity theft?

Individuals who are victims of IRS tax-related identity theft must submit:

• A Tax Return DataBase View (TRDBV) transcript obtained from the IRS; and
• A statement signed and dated by the tax filer indicating that they were victims of IRS tax-related identity theft and that the IRS has been made aware of the tax-related identity theft.

Tax filers may obtain a TRDBV transcript and inform the IRS of the tax-related identity theft by calling the IRS’s Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) at 1-800-908-4490.