Verification Process

When you submit the FAFSA on the Web, you may be randomly selected by the Federal processor for a process called “verification.” This means the Department of Education requires our office to determine the accuracy of the information provided on your FAFSA on the Web application. If you receive this notification, please complete the following steps in compliance with Federal guidelines.

Verification Steps:

1. Complete the IRS Data Retrieval through FAFSA on the Web (See our Financial Aid Information Sheet.)
2. Submit the appropriate verification forms to the Financial Aid Office as requested: (Log in to your MyRecords account and review your missing requirements)
3. Submit all requested documents to the Financial Aid Office by March 2 for priority awarding.
4. Students submitting documents to Concordia's Financial Aid Office must use one of the following methods:
   
   • Email to finaid@cui.edu using ONLY your student eagles email
   • FAX: 949-214- 3500
   • Mail: Concordia University Financial Aid Office:
     1530 Concordia West, Irvine, Ca 92612
   • Phone: 949-314-3066

What is the IRS Data Retrieval?

The IRS Data Retrieval is a feature of FAFSA on the web, which links your FAFSA with your already filed federal tax information through the IRS. You may update your FAFSA by linking to your federal taxes and pulling your tax data directly from the IRS ‘auto-filling’ the tax portion of your FAFSA. If you do not wish to complete the IRS Data retrieval and are required for verification, you must contact the IRS to request a copy of student and/or parent’s IRS tax return transcript to provide to The Office of Financial Aid. (See below, “Requesting an IRS transcript”.)

How to use the IRS Data Retrieval:

See our Financial Aid Information Sheet

NOTE: The student and parent must complete the IRS Data Retrieval separately. Please ensure that you have a valid Social Security Number and have already filed taxes for the year 2016.

What if I Cannot Complete the IRS Data Retrieval?

If you cannot complete Step 1 (above), you may request an IRS transcript and submit it to the Financial Aid Office. (See our guide on How to Request an IRS Tax Return Transcript.) You must request an IRS transcript if:

• You (or your parent) did not use the IRS Data Retrieval Process either at initial FAFSA filing or through subsequent corrections.
• You changed information after using the IRS Data retrieval process.
• Your tax status is ‘Married, filing separately.’
• Your parents are unmarried, living together, and filed separate tax returns.
• You (or your parent) had a change in marital status after the end of the tax year on December 31.
• You (or your parent) filed an amended tax return.
• You filed taxes outside the U.S.

How to Request an IRS Transcript:

1. Go to the IRS website (Financial Aid Information Sheet).
2. Either choose "ONLINE" to print immediately (will require you to answer a series of questions from your financial history) or "MAIL" to request a transcript by mail (this option will take a minimum 2 to 3 weeks.)
3. For either option, once you print/receive your transcript, submit the document to the Concordia Financial Aid Office by one of the following:
   
   • Email to finaid@cui.edu using ONLY your student eagles email
   • Fax: (949) 214-3500
   • Mail: Concordia University Financial Aid Office: 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, Ca 92612
   • Please note: cell phone photo copies are not accepted.
4. Call 1-800-908-9946 or request a transcript by using the IRS form 4506T-EZ.