The verification process

You may be asked to provide tax documents to verify your FAFSA for the following tax years:

• 2022-23 FAFSA: We will verify 2020 tax year information
• 2023-24 FAFSA: We will verify 2021 tax year information

Submit one of the following:

1. Updated income and tax information from the IRS on an ISIR record with all tax information from the original tax return;
2. A transcript obtained from the IRS that lists tax account information of the tax filer(s); or
3. A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040 and the applicable schedules that were filed with the IRS.

If you were a victim of identity theft and cannot obtain a tax transcript or have your tax information transferred from the IRS when you filed your FAFSA, submit BOTH of the following:

1. A Tax Return DataBase View (TRDBV) transcript obtained from the IRS; and
2. A statement signed and dated by the tax filer indicating that they were a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft and that the IRS has been made aware of the tax-related identity theft.

• A tax filer who is a citizen of a U.S. territory (Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands) or commonwealth (Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands), or a foreign government, that lists tax account information of the tax filer may provide a tax transcript at no cost from the IRS.
• Alternatively, you may submit a signed copy of income tax return and all applicable schedules that was filed with the relevant tax authority. 
• A tax filer who filed an income tax return with tax authorities not mentioned above, i.e. a foreign tax authority, and who indicates that he or she is unable to obtain the tax account information free of charge, must provide documentation that the tax authority charges a fee to obtain that information, along with a signed copy of his or her income tax return that was filed with the relevant tax authority.

Submit ALL of the following:

• A signed statement listing the sources of any income and the amount of income from each source;
• A copy of the IRS's approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for tax year;
• A copy of IRS Form W-2 for each source of employment income received or an equivalent document; and
• If self-employed, the signed statement must indicate the amount of estimated AGI and U.S. income tax paid for tax year.

Immigrants who do not have an SSN and are unable to get one can apply with the IRS for an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). The ITIN is only for tax purposes. It does not authorize a person to work, endorse his or her legal status, or entitle them to the earned income credit or Social Security benefits.

For the 2023-24 academic year, you are strongly encouraged to submit all requested documentation no later than May 30, 2023, in order to receive a timely award with all possible funding.

The verification review process can range from two to six weeks. Submit copies of the requested documentation within 14 business days of the request.

The last date to submit verification documents is 120 days after your last day of enrollment in the fall or winter semester. If you enroll in the spring-summer 2024 semester the last day to submit verification documents in order to have your documents processed, is 9/1/2024.

For the 2024-25 academic year, you are strongly encouraged to submit all requested documentation no later than May 30, 2024, in order to receive a timely award with all possible funding.

The verification review process can range from two to six weeks. Submit copies of the requested documentation within 14 business days of the request.

The last date to submit verification documents is 120 days after your last day of enrollment in the fall or winter semester. If you enroll in the spring-summer 2025 semester the last day to submit verification documents in order to have your documents processed, is 9/1/2025.

Federal loan applicants: WSU requires verification to occur before confirming eligibility for student loans. A federal loan application cannot be originated for a period of enrollment that has already passed.

Note: Failure to submit all requested documentation will result in the forfeiture of your financial aid eligibility.

If the data reported on your FAFSA is verified, the financial aid office can confirm your eligibility for financial aid. 

If we find differences between the data reported on your FAFSA and the information that you submitted to us, we may make corrections to your FAFSA. You can monitor your FAFSA verification status in the Financial Aid Portal in Academica.

We will send an email to your WSU account notifying you to review your document requests in the Financial Aid Portal. All document requests must be completed before any financial aid can be disbursed to your account.

Check your WSU email regularly for important correspondence.

You will receive an email notifying you if your awards change through the verification process.

We strongly recommend that you submit all documents within 14 days of receiving the verification notice.

The fastest way to submit documents is by using the electronic forms available in the Financial Aid Portal or on our website.

You may mail documents to us at:

Wayne State University
Office of Student Financial Aid
The Welcome Center
P.O. Box 2340
Detroit, MI 48202-0340

Print your name and WSU ID on each page of the documents that you submit.