Just wondered if any of you fellow cc’ers had received a verification request letter AFTER you had committed to the school on May 1? I realize FAFSA may be requesting information and not the school- but shouldn’t this have been done prior to the award letter being sent out? There was nothing saying that my financial aid was ‘pending’ in my award letter last March, and relying on the school’s promise, I passed up Full scholarship opportunities and Full aid at several excellent colleges. Now I’m merely waiting to see if my original award at the school I chose is even valid or not- and two weeks has passed since they received my verification worksheet. Just in case a question arises among you, nothing has changed in my financial situation and all my financial information is accurate- 100% true and all tax docs submitted, as well. I have contacted them and they said this is standard. Is it though at this late date?
It’s normal to receive this after you’ve committed to the school. You can learn how this process works here, but you’ll see that you may have been one of the random picks:
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/receiving-your-aid/verification-process
Thanks for your input. I did see that article before, and, although it speaks of verification, none talk about verification after the May 1 decision day deadline, which is my concern- and complaint. I would have no problem If this question arose in March or April, but it’s coming well after I’ve already lost my opportunities elsewhere.
It’s possible they were behind in verification, so they are just getting around to doing it now. It’s also possible you may have made some updates to your FAFSA, which can result in the Department of Education selecting it for verification at that point. But if you completed your FAFSA correctly, your awards shouldn’t change.
Thanks Kelsmom. I didn’t make any changes, so it’s perplexing. If they do change my award what can I do? I relied on their promise and there was never any indication in their award letter of any contingency. I lost some full ride offers (and one was my first choice) so needless to say, I will have some pissed parents if they reduce their offer at all, now. You would imagine there would be some recourse if a college does this to a student after the deadline. It’s almost like stealing money from someone, considering you were lured away from a real offer with their empty one. Anyone know about this? I realize it might be nothing at all, but what if it is?
If the full ride offer was your first choice…why did you not enroll there?
If your FAFSA is accurate, there isn’t a concern at all. If there is an error, this is required to be corrected.
Is your college FAFSA only, or do they also use the Profile or their own form?
What did they ask you for in your verification request?
If you entered everything correctly, there should be no changes as a result of verification. If you entered info incorrectly, it was wrong … so there would be no standing to say that the school lured you away from another school with some ill intentions.
Don’t get ahead of yourself with what may be unnecessary worry. I have verified numerous files that resulted in no changes.
Can you clarify? You received a full ride offer to your first choice school but you didn’t enroll there? Why?