Quick verification question

<p>I'm an independent student and I was selected for verification. As I understand it, I'll have to send in my tax information which is an issue because I've been unemployed for a while and I live with my parents, so I obviously haven't needed to file any tax returns.</p>

<p>This is odd to me, because there was a question on the form that specifically asked for my income which I put as $0 and one asking if I filed my 2009 tax return and I selected "Not going to file".</p>

<p>What forms will they want me to send?</p>

<p>You would need to submit copies of any source of money you received…such as unemployment. You might also have to complete a supplemental form explaining how you survived during the year with no job. Basically, it isn’t because the school doesn’t believe what is submitted on the FAFSA but to provide supporting documentation for external auditors should your file be reviewed in the future. My recommendation would be to contact the school(s) and explain your financial situation. They will tell you what documents are necessary.</p>

<p>Well, I don’t receive unemployment, or any other money for that matter; my parents pay for everything.</p>

<p>I hope me simply putting down that my parents support me is good enough for them, as I can’t think of any forms or documents that would be able to verify my situation.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>I am not an expert but I wonder if they are questioning the “independent” status</p>

<p>I was born before January 1, 1987. I would think that my SS # alone would be enough for them to ascertain that I qualify for independent status.</p>

<p>The verification forms are usually just a standard form so may ask for things you do not have (such as W2s). We did not have W2s last year (my husband is retired so the income he has is not on a W2, i am in school so did not have one). We just wrote on the verification form that we do not have W2s.</p>

<p>As Nikkil said, the school may want to know how you supported yourself with no income. You should probably contact them and ask what they need.</p>

<p>Are you saying you were selected for verification because there was a * by your EFC? It seems early for the school to have asked for verification data. If so wait until the school asks you for documents before you send any.</p>

<p>Yes, wait until asked directly by the college. Last year my daughter’s FAFSA was *'d for verification, but the university never did ask for the documentation. I guess they reached their quota of required verifications or something, but we weren’t asked.</p>