Hi, someone probably asked this question a while ago, but I can’t seem to find it. Sorry, please bear with me!
I noticed on my financial aid portal for a lot of my schools saying they have to verify my citizenship status. Two of the schools ask me to bring my original documents in person even though I’m OOS. Is this a good indication that I’m accepted, and are they strict about being in person or can I just attach a scanned copy of my passport?
Thanks!
Federal guidelines dictate that you need to present the original document in person to verify citizenship. You are going to want to contact the schools to determine if it is okay that you wait to submit the documents until you have confirmed at a specific place. No point in heading OOS if you do not have to. Likely, not submitting the paperwork until later will hold up the disbursement of your aid - but hopefully will not hold up the possibility of being created an estimated award package.
Some schools request aid information from all students who apply, accepted or not. There isn’t any way of knowing if this is an indication of acceptance. Financial aid and Admissions are usually two entirely unrelated offices.
Thank you for the detailed response!
Are you a citizen? Does your SSN status match your actual status? Since several schools have this same notation, I’m guessing your SSN has the wrong status. If so, you need to go to the SSA (if you are under 18, your parent must go, if over 18 you must appear) and you need to show them the document that changed your status (Certificate of Citizenship, passport, naturalization certificate). Your SSN will remain the same, but the status will change. If you are lucky! If you are unlucky you will repeat this over and over.
You cannot just scan a CofC or passport or green card. If you are OOS, you might be able to arrange to go to a college near you and have that FA office verify the document and send the copy or send a copy pending showing them the original document. They cannot release any FA until they see the original.
We adopted our son from Korea and we had to submit a document of proof he was a US citizen to his school for them to complete his FA. I sent them a copy of his passport (just the first page.) He didn’t have a Certificate of Citizenship or naturalization papers as adopted children are now considered automatic citizens. He never had to present the document in person to the school. We also had to do this every year to get his FA package completed. Call the school and see what they need and ask if you can send them photocopies.
My daughter was also adopted and became a us citizens. I’ve never had to prove it to anyone as her ssn shows she’s is a citizen. I had to change it when she became a citizen. No financial aid office has asked for proof.