Verification Policy

Purpose

Hillsborough Community College verifies all students selected for verification by the Federal Government.  In addition, the College reserves the right to verify any students whose information submitted to the Federal Government on the FAFSA or on information provided to HCC appears suspicious or inaccurate. 

Required Documents

  • Review all documents. If there are any discrepancies, request clarification.
  • Any cross outs on the worksheet must be initialed.
  • Note: ALL Verification documents must be turned in to the Financial Aid office no later than 30-days before the end of the term in which the student is trying to receive aid.

Basis/Rules

Required Documents may include (but are not limited to):

  • Student’s tax transcripts
  • Spouse tax transcripts
  • Parent’s tax transcripts (Only required for Dependent Students)
  • Untaxed income for students and appropriate family members
  • Verification of Household Size
  • Verification of Number in College
  • Verification of VA Benefits (not all VA Benefits)
  • Verification of receipt of SNAP
  • Verification of Child Support Paid
  • Other items deemed necessary when questions arise or these is a lack of clarity
  • Note: ALL Verification documents must be turned in to the Financial Aid office no later than 30-days before the end of the term in which the student is trying to receive aid.

Worksheet Signature Requirements

  • Independent Student
    • Student must sign all worksheets. Spouse signature is not required.
  • Dependent Student.
    • Student and at least one legal parent are required to sign all worksheets. The legal parent who signs MUST be the parent listed in the household size.

Household size

  • The Verification Worksheet will serve as sufficient proof of Household Size. Changes to the Household Size on the ISIR can be made using the information provided on the worksheet.
  • Legal (biological and/or adoptive) parent or step-parent, regardless of their marital status and or gender, must be added on the household size if they live in the household”
  • All household member names, ages and relationships must be filled out on the worksheet, except the student. (The student may be assumed in the Household if not included, but no other assumptions will be made) 

Number in College

  • The verification worksheet will be used as acceptable proof of number in college.

Tax Transcript

  • If the student successfully imported their tax data from the IRS, there will not be tax transcripts or W2s to verify. 
  • Individuals Who Were Victims of IRS Identity Theft: A victim of IRS identity theft who is not able to obtain a 2013 IRS Tax Return Transcript or use the IRS DRT must contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490.  Upon authentication of the tax filer’s identity, the IRS will provide, by U.S. Postal Service, a printout of the tax filer’s 2013 IRS income tax return information.

Who needs to submit tax information?

  • Dependent Student:
    •  Student and legal (biological and/or adoptive) parent or your stepparent, regardless of their gender or marital status if they live together.
  • Independent Student:
    • Student and/or spouse

Household Resources information must be verified in addition to other tax information and Household Resources Worksheet must be completed.

Additional Information

Students are notified by email of the documents needed for verification when their ISIR is received by HCC.  These items are tracked periodically and students are sent reminder emails if they fail to complete their file.  As a rule, a minimum of two emails will be sent to a student requesting information by the Financial Aid Office.

Errors found in verification will be reviewed, and if appropriate, changes will be made electronically.  If the change is one that seems to need the attention of the student or their family, a copy of the information will be returned to the student to make corrections.

All documents are uploaded into CampusLogic. Datatel/Colleague will be updated with the date the document was received.

Students selected for verification must submit all copies of the information requested, and verification must be finalized before an award of Title IV financial aid is made.