What is Verification?

Approximately 1 in 3 students will be selected by the Department of Education for a process known as Verification.  This process requires us to verify certain information provided on the FAFSA to ensure accuracy.  The verification process must be completed before financial aid can be awarded.  You can be selected for verification when initially filing your FAFSA, or with any updates made to existing FAFSA applications.

How will I know if I've been selected?

If your FAFSA has been selected for verification, you will receive an email notification from our office notifying you of additional documents that are required.  You can access any additional documents by logging into MySiena, and accessing the Missing and Received Financial Aid Documents link, under the Paying for College heading.

What will I be asked to verify?

Depending upon the type of verification you have been selected for, some of the information you may be asked to verify are:

  • Tax Return information via a Tax Return Transcript, or use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, to link tax information directly into your FAFSA (NOTE: The IRS Data Retrieval Tool has been suspended for the remainder of the 17/18 FAFSA season. Please refer to Retrieving your Tax Return Transcript).
  • Household Size
  • Number in College
  • Child Support Paid
  • W-2s showing wages (if a non-tax filer)
*Please note that information for students and parents are required for dependent students (refer to the Verification Worksheet that has been provided on MySiena).

How do I retrieve a Tax Return Transcript?

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A tax return transcript is NOT your IRS 1040 filed with the IRS, it is a transcript from the IRS of the information that was filed.  The easiest way to verify tax information is to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on your FAFSA application.  By doing so, your IRS Tax Return information is automatically transferred into the FAFSA.  If you have filed your taxes, and meet the qualifications found on the FAFSA application, you will be able to access this tool.  Make sure you have a copy of your IRS 1040 available to ensure that all information is entered into the IRS system accurately when prompted to do so.

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If the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is not an option for you, please click here to order a Tax Return Transcript. 

Where do I send my verification documents?

If you are a newly admitted student on the Adrian Campus, this includes Freshman and Transfer students, please submit your documents to the following:

Mail to:
Siena Heights University                                Scan and Email to: admissions@sienaheights.edu
Admissions Office
1247 E. Siena Heights Drive                          Fax to: 517-264-7745
Adrian, MI 49221

If you are a returning Adrian Campus student or attend one of our CPS campuses, please submit your documents to the following:

Mail to:
Siena Heights University                                Scan and Email to: finaid@sienaheights.edu
Financial Aid Office, Science 230
1247 E. Siena Heights Drive                          Fax to: 517-264-7735
Adrian, MI 49221

What if I have questions?

As always, we understand that special circumstances might exist.  Please contact our office at finaid@sienaheights.edu if you have questions regarding the information that is being requested.