2025-2026 Verification Worksheet - Independent - Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Mason

2025-2026 Independent Verification Worksheet for students whose FAFSA was selected for verification requires confirming 2023 income information. It explains how verification compares FAFSA data with worksheet answers and any other requested documents, and outlines possible corrections before federal aid is awarded. The worksheet instructs students to complete and sign the form, submit acceptable 2023 federal tax documents or IRS transcripts, follow transcript request options, and send completed materials to the Office of Financial Aid.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Instructions for FAFSA Verification

What You Need to Do If Documents Are Requested

Verification Worksheet Sections

Household Members

Household Members Going to College

Certifications and Signatures

2025-2026 Verification Worksheet (Independent) INSTRUCTIONS Your 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was selected for review in a process called verification. The law states that before awarding Federal Student Aid, we are requi red to ask you to confirm the 2023 income information you reported on your FAFSA. In the Verification process, we will compare your FAFSA with your answers on this worksheet and with any other required documents. If there are differences, your FAFSA information may need to be corrected. After reviewing your information, we may ask for additional information. If you have questions about verification, contact us as soon as possible so that your financial aid will not be delayed. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF DOCUMENTS REQUESTED PER VERIFICATION COVER LETTER: 1. Verification Worksheet: You must complete and sign the worksheet (on the back of this document) . 2. Federal Tax Returns [Acceptable Documents]: • 2023 Federal Tax Return (Form 1040)– You and/or your spouse may need to submit a signed copy of your 2023 federal income tax return (Form 1040) that you filed with the IRS (including Schedules 1, 2 and 3, if applicable); or, • 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript-You and/or your spouse may need to obtain a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS. The Tax Return Transcript shows most line items including your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your original tax return (Form 1040) as filed, along with any schedules. It doesn’t show changes made after you filed your original return. • 2023 Amended Federal Tax Return (Form 1040X)– If you and/or your spouse made changes to your original federal tax return you will need to submit a signed copy of your Amended Federal Tax Return (Form 1040X) along with a signed copy of your original Federal Tax Return (Form 1040); or you may obtain a Tax Account Transcript from the IRS (Amended Tax Return) and submit the transcript along with a Tax Return Transcript (original tax return) from the IRS. Ways to Get Transcripts You and/or your spouse may register to use Get Transcript Online ([irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript](irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript)) to view, print, or download all transcript types. If you're unable to register or you prefer not to use Get Transcript Online, you may order a tax return transcript and/or a tax account transcript using Get Transcript by Mail or call 800-908-9946. Please allow 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery. You and/or your spouse may also request any transcript type to be mailed to you by completing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return ([irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf](irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf)). Please allow 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery. 3. Submit the completed worksheet and appropriate financial documents to the Hood College Office of Financial Aid via e-mail, fax, mail, or in person. [E-mail: finaid@hood.edu](E-mail: finaid@hood.edu) Fax: 301-696-3812 Mail: Office of Financial Aid 401 Rosemont Ave. Frederick, MD 21701 If you are sending documents with PII (Personally identifiable information) such as, SSN (Social Security Number) by e-mail, please make sure to encrypt the document and send a password in a separate e-mail. Verification Worksheet (Independent) 2025-2026 | Student’s Last Name | Student’s First Name | | MI | Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | / | | | / | | | | | | Phone Number | | Alternate Phone Number | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | A. List the individuals living in your household (Please list all that apply) 1) Yourself 2) Your spouse, if married 3) You or your spouse's children if you or your spouse will provide more than half of their financial support from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Include others as part of your household if they meet the

FAQs

What triggers the verification process for FAFSA?

A student’s FAFSA is selected for review in a process called verification. Federal law requires students to confirm the 2023 income information reported on the FAFSA before aid is awarded.

What documents are accepted to verify 2023 federal tax information?

Accepted options include a signed 2023 Federal Tax Return (Form 1040), a 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript, or a signed 2023 Amended Federal Tax Return (Form 1040X) with supporting original tax return or transcripts.

How should the completed worksheet and documents be submitted?

Submit the completed worksheet and required financial documents to the Hood College Office of Financial Aid by email, fax, mail, or in person. If emailing documents containing PII such as SSN, encrypt the document and send the password separately.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Mason