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Each year the Department of Education selects student FAFSAs (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at random to be reviewed in a process called “Verification.” To complete this process, Financial Aid will request pertinent information from the student (if independent) as well as requesting information from the parents of the student (if dependent). If selected for verification, federal law requires that the institution obtain this information from the student before awarding any federal aid. Clarks Summit University must review the requested information under the HEA Financial Aid Program Rules (34 CFR, Part 668).

Verification Procedure

The student will be contacted if he/she has been selected for FAFSA Verification. In order to simplify the process, the student will need to do one of the following:

1) If the student utilized the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when completing the FAFSA and the IRS tax information was successfully transmitted, the following documents will need to be submitted to Financial Aid:

• FAFSA Verification Worksheet for academic year
• Other documents may be required based upon varying circumstances

2) If the student did not utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when completing the FAFSA, then, the following documents will need to be submitted to the Financial Aid Office:

• FAFSA Verification Worksheet for academic year
• Tax Return Transcript (not a Tax Account Transcript) which can be requested by calling 800-908-9946 or going to www.irs.gov.
• Other documents may be required based upon varying circumstances

Review important forms and other resources.

As part of the verification process, the Department of Education has moved towards a more customized approach, in that certain students will be randomly selected to submit specific documents to the Financial Aid Office at Clarks Summit University. Along with students using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) or submitting a Tax Return Transcript, students may also need to submit proof of high school completion, or submit proof of identity and statement of educational purpose.

The deadline for submitting the above mentioned paperwork is 45 days after the student is notified that he/she has been selected for FAFSA Verification. If proper documentation cannot be submitted within 45 days, the student must contact Financial Aid to make alternative arrangements.

Financial Aid will not disburse Title IV Aid until verification is completed. Federal financial aid may be forfeited if Verification documents are not completed and returned. If a financial aid award changes due to a “finding” during the Verification process, the student will be notified by a letter sent to the student’s home address, or by email to the student’s email address on file.

Clarks Summit University Financial Aid Office verifies all of the FAFSAs selected by the Department of Education and undergraduate online students. They may also select a FAFSA for verification based on information received from the FAFSA. Students who desire to have their FAFSA considered for “Special Circumstances” will also undergo the Verification process.

Special Circumstances

During an academic year, a number of adverse situations could occur in the life of a student and in the life of his/her family that are beyond the student’s control. Examples of these situations could include:

• Loss of income from work
• Loss of income from child support, social security, worker’s compensation or alimony
• Legal separation or divorce
• Death of a parent or spouse
• Excessive medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance
• One-time lump sum payment received within the tax year
• Parent of student working on a degree higher than present degree—enrollment must be at least half-time.
• Marriage of students

If any of these situations has occurred in a student’s life or in the life of a student’s family since the completion of the current academic year FAFSA, the student may be eligible for “Special Circumstances.” By providing Financial Aid with necessary documentation, we are able to make changes to your FAFSA information that will accurately reflect what your financial situation is at the present moment rather than when you filed the FAFSA.

In order to have their FAFSA considered for Special Circumstances, a student will need to submit the following documents:

• Current Academic Year FAFSA Verification Worksheet. See Verification Policy for more details.
• W-2 (s) and 1099(s) for the student, the parent(s) ( if dependent), and/or the spouse (if independent)
• Special Circumstances Form with supporting documentation
• Tuition Validation Form for students who have younger siblings who are enrolled in private school education (elementary and/or high school).

Federal law requires that the student’s FAFSA undergo “Verification” prior to consideration for Special Circumstances or Tuition Validation.

Financial aid award amounts typically increase due to the changes made to the student’s FAFSA. Students will be notified of any changes to the FAFSA by a letter sent to the student’s home address, or by email to the student’s email address on file.

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The national cohort default rate (CDR) is 9.7%.
Clarks Summit University’s CDR is 7.4%.
This information is updated annually.