Notice2021-18864
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Information To Be Verified for the 2022-2023 Award Year
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 1, 2021
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
For each award year, the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a notice announcing the FAFSA information that an institution and an applicant may be required to verify, as well as the acceptable documentation for verifying FAFSA information. This is the notice for the 2022-2023 award year, Assistance Listing Numbers 84.007, 84.033, 84.063, and 84.268.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 167 (Wednesday, September 1, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 167 (Wednesday, September 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49002-49006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18864]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA[supreg])
Information To Be Verified for the 2022-2023 Award Year
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: For each award year, the Secretary publishes in the Federal
Register a notice announcing the FAFSA information that an institution
and an applicant may be required to verify, as well as the acceptable
documentation for verifying FAFSA information. This is the notice for
the 2022-2023 award year, Assistance Listing Numbers 84.007, 84.033,
84.063, and 84.268.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vanessa Gomez, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2C179, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453-6708. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e083f303b2d2d3f701931333b241e3b3a70393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5f3c4cbc0d6d6c48be2cac8c0dfe5c0c18bc2cad3">[email protected]</span></a>.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If the Secretary selects an applicant for
verification, the applicant's Institutional Student Information Record
(ISIR) includes flags that indicate (1) that the applicant has been
selected by the Secretary for verification and (2) the Verification
Tracking Group in which the applicant has been placed. The Verification
Tracking Group indicates which FAFSA information needs to be verified
for the applicant and, if appropriate, for the applicant's parent(s) or
spouse. The Student Aid Report (SAR) provided to the applicant will
indicate that the applicant's FAFSA
[[Page 49003]]
information has been selected for verification and direct the applicant
to contact the institution for further instructions for completing the
verification process.
To help institutions and applicants deal with the challenges
resulting from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the
Secretary has provided flexibilities to the verification regulations
through the end of the first payment period that begins after the date
that the COVID-19 national emergency is rescinded.
The following chart lists, for the 2022-2023 award year, the FAFSA
information that an institution and an applicant and, if appropriate,
the applicant's parent(s) or spouse may be required to verify under 34
CFR 668.56. The chart also lists the acceptable documentation that
must, under Sec. 668.57, be provided to an institution for that
information to be verified.
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FAFSA information Acceptable documentation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income information for tax (1) 2020 tax account information of the
filers: tax filer that the Secretary has
a. Adjusted Gross Income identified as having been obtained from
(AGI) the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
b. U.S. Income Tax Paid through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and
c. Untaxed Portions of IRA that has not been changed after the
Distributions and Pensions information was obtained from the IRS;
d. IRA Deductions and (2) A transcript \1\ obtained at no cost
Payments from the IRS or other relevant tax
e. Tax Exempt Interest Income authority of a U.S. territory (Guam,
f. Education Credits American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands)
or commonwealth (Puerto Rico and the
Northern Mariana Islands), or a foreign
government that lists 2020 tax account
information of the tax filer; or
(3) A copy of the income tax return \1\
and the applicable schedules \1\ that
were filed with the IRS or other
relevant tax authority of a U.S.
territory, or a foreign government that
lists 2020 tax account information of
the tax filer.
Income information for tax (1) For a student, or the parent(s) of a
filers with special dependent student, who filed a 2020
circumstances: joint income tax return and whose income
a. Adjusted Gross Income is used in the calculation of the
(AGI) applicant's expected family contribution
b. U.S. Income Tax Paid and who at the time the FAFSA was
c. Untaxed Portions of IRA completed was separated, divorced,
Distributions and Pensions widowed, or married to someone other
d. IRA Deductions and than the individual included on the 2020
Payments joint income tax return--
e. Tax Exempt Interest Income (a) A transcript obtained from the IRS or
f. Education Credits other relevant tax authority that lists
2020 tax account information of the tax
filer(s); or
(b) A copy of the income tax return and
the applicable schedules that were filed
with the IRS or other relevant tax
authority that lists 2020 tax account
information of the tax filer(s); and
(c) A copy of IRS Form W-2 \2\ for each
source of 2020 employment income
received or an equivalent document.\2\
(2) For an individual who is required to
file a 2020 IRS income tax return and
has been granted a filing extension by
the IRS beyond the automatic six-month
extension for tax year 2020--
(a) A copy of the IRS's approval of an
extension beyond the automatic six-month
extension for tax year 2020; \3\
(b) Verification of nonfiling \4\ from
the IRS dated on or after October 1,
2021;
(c) A copy of IRS Form W-2 \2\ for each
source of 2020 employment income
received or an equivalent document; \2\
and
(d) If self-employed, a signed statement
certifying the amount of AGI and U.S.
income tax paid for tax year 2020.
Note: An institution may require that,
after the income tax return is filed, an
individual granted a filing extension
beyond the automatic six-month extension
submit tax information using the IRS
Data Retrieval Tool, by obtaining a
transcript from the IRS, or by
submitting a copy of the income tax
return and the applicable schedules that
were filed with the IRS that lists 2020
tax account information. When an
institution receives such information,
it must be used to reverify the income
and tax information reported on the
FAFSA.
(3) For an individual who was the victim
of IRS tax-related identity theft--
(a) A Tax Return DataBase View (TRDBV)
transcript \1\ obtained from the IRS;
and
(b) A statement signed and dated by the
tax filer indicating that he or she was
a victim of IRS tax-related identity
theft and that the IRS has been made
aware of the tax-related identity theft.
Note: Tax filers may inform the IRS of
the tax-related identity theft and
obtain a TRDBV transcript by calling the
IRS's Identity Protection Specialized
Unit (IPSU) at 1-800-908-4490. Unless
the institution has reason to suspect
the authenticity of the TRDBV transcript
provided by the IRS, a signature or
stamp or any other validation from the
IRS is not needed.
(4) For an individual who filed an
amended income tax return with the IRS,
a signed copy of the IRS Form 1040X that
was filed with the IRS for tax year 2020
or documentation from the IRS that
include the change(s) made to the tax
filer's 2020 tax information, in
addition to one of the following--
(a) IRS Data Retrieval Tool information
on an ISIR record with all tax
information from the original 2020
income tax return;
(b) A transcript obtained from the IRS
that lists 2020 tax account information
of the tax filer(s); or
(c) A signed copy of the 2020 IRS Form
1040 and the applicable schedules that
were filed with the IRS.
Income information for nontax For an individual who has not filed and,
filers: under IRS or other relevant tax
Income earned from work authority rules (e.g., the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, the Republic of
Palau, the Federated States of
Micronesia, a U.S. territory or
commonwealth or a foreign government),
is not required to file a 2020 income
tax return--
[[Page 49004]]
(1) A signed statement certifying--
(a) That the individual has not filed and
is not required to file a 2020 income
tax return; and
(b) The sources of 2020 income earned
from work and the amount of income from
each source;
(2) A copy of IRS Form W-2 \2\ for each
source of 2020 employment income
received or an equivalent document \2\;
and
(3) Except for dependent students,
verification of nonfiling \4\ from the
IRS or other relevant tax authority
dated on or after October 1, 2021.
Number of Household Members.. A statement signed by the applicant and,
if the applicant is a dependent student,
by one of the applicant's parents, that
lists the name and age of each household
member for the 2022-2023 award year and
the relationship of that household
member to the applicant.
Note: Verification of number of household
members is not required if--
<bullet> For a dependent student, the
household size indicated on the ISIR is
two and the parent is single, separated,
divorced, or widowed, or the household
size indicated on the ISIR is three if
the parents are married or unmarried and
living together; or
<bullet> For an independent student, the
household size indicated on the ISIR is
one and the applicant is single,
separated, divorced, or widowed, or the
household size indicated on the ISIR is
two if the applicant is married.
Number in College............ (1) A statement signed by the applicant
and, if the applicant is a dependent
student, by one of the applicant's
parents listing the name and age of each
household member, excluding the parents,
who is or will be attending an eligible
postsecondary educational institution as
at least a half-time student in the 2022-
2023 award year in a program that leads
to a degree or certificate and the name
of that educational institution.
(2) If an institution has reason to
believe that the signed statement
provided by the applicant regarding the
number of household members enrolled in
eligible postsecondary institutions is
inaccurate, the institution must obtain
documentation from each institution
named by the applicant that the
household member in question is, or will
be, attending on at least a half-time
basis unless--
(a) The applicant's institution
determines that such documentation is
not available because the household
member in question has not yet
registered at the institution the
household member plans to attend; or
(b) The institution has documentation
indicating that the household member in
question will be attending the same
institution as the applicant.
Note: Verification of the number of
household members in college is not
required if the number in college
indicated on the ISIR is ``1.''
Identity/Statement of (1) An applicant must appear in person
Educational Purpose. and present the following documentation
to an institutionally authorized
individual to verify the applicant's
identity:
(a) An unexpired valid government-issued
photo identification \5\ such as, but
not limited to, a driver's license, non-
driver's identification card, other
State-issued identification, or U.S.
passport. The institution must maintain
an annotated copy of the unexpired valid
government-issued photo identification
that includes--
i. The date the identification was
presented; and
ii. The name of the institutionally
authorized individual who reviewed the
identification; and
(b) A signed statement using the exact
language as follows, except that the
student's identification number is
optional if collected elsewhere on the
same page as the statement:
Statement of Educational Purpose
I certify that I ____________ am
(Print Student's Name)
the individual signing this Statement of
Educational Purpose and that the Federal
student financial assistance I may
receive will only be used for
educational purposes and to pay the cost
of attending __________ for 2022-2023.
(Name of Postsecondary Educational
Institution)
__________________ _____
(Student's Signature) (Date)
__________
(Student's ID Number)
(2) If an institution determines that an
applicant is unable to appear in person
to present an unexpired valid government-
issued photo identification and execute
the Statement of Educational Purpose,
the applicant must provide the
institution with--
(a) A copy of an unexpired valid
government-issued photo identification
\5\ such as, but not limited to, a
driver's license, non-driver's
identification card, other State-issued
identification, or U.S. passport that is
acknowledged in a notary statement or
that is presented to a notary; and
(b) An original notarized statement
signed by the applicant using the exact
language as follows, except that the
student's identification number is
optional if collected elsewhere on the
same page as the statement:
Statement of Educational Purpose
I certify that I __________ am
(Print Student's Name)
[[Page 49005]]
the individual signing this Statement of
Educational Purpose and that the Federal
student financial assistance I may
receive will only be used for
educational purposes and to pay the cost
of attending __________ for 2022-2023.
(Name of Postsecondary Educational
Institution)
__________________ _____
(Student's Signature) (Date)
__________
(Student's ID Number)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This footnote applies, where applicable, whenever an income tax
return, the applicable schedules, or transcript is mentioned in the
above chart.
The copy of the 2020 income tax return must include the signature of the
tax filer, or one of the filers of a joint income tax return, or the
signed, stamped, typed, or printed name and address of the preparer of
the income tax return and the preparer's Social Security Number,
Employer Identification Number, or Preparer Tax Identification Number.
For a tax filer who filed an income tax return other than an IRS form,
such as a foreign or Puerto Rican tax form, the institution must use
the income information (converted to U.S. dollars) from the lines of
that form that correspond most closely to the income information
reported on a U.S. income tax return.
An individual who did not retain a copy of his or her 2020 tax account
information, and for whom that information cannot be located by the
IRS or other relevant tax authority, must submit to the institution--
(a) Copies of all IRS Form W-2s for each source of 2020 employment
income or equivalent documents; or
(b) If the individual is self-employed or filed an income tax return
with a government of a U.S. territory or commonwealth or a foreign
government, a signed statement certifying the amount of AGI and income
taxes paid for tax year 2020; and
(c) Documentation from the IRS or other relevant tax authority that
indicates the individual's 2020 tax account information cannot be
located; and
(d) A signed statement that indicates that the individual did not retain
a copy of his or her 2020 tax account information.
If an individual who was the victim of IRS tax-related identity theft is
unable to obtain a TRDBV, the institution may accept an equivalent
document provided by the IRS or a copy of the signed 2020 income tax
return the individual filed with the IRS.
\2\ An individual who is required to submit an IRS Form W-2 or an
equivalent document but did not maintain a copy should request a
duplicate from the employer who issued the original or from the
government agency that issued the equivalent document. If the
individual is unable to obtain a duplicate W-2 or an equivalent
document in a timely manner, the institution may permit that
individual to provide a signed statement, in accordance with 34 CFR
668.57(a)(6), that includes--
(a) The amount of income earned from work;
(b) The source of that income; and
(c) The reason why the IRS Form W-2, or an equivalent document, is not
available in a timely manner.
\3\ For an individual who was called up for active duty or for
qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military
operation or national emergency, an institution must accept a
statement from the individual certifying that he or she has not filed
an income tax return or a request for a filing extension because of
that service.
\4\ If an individual is unable to obtain verification of nonfiling from
the IRS or other relevant tax authority and, based upon the
institution's determination, it has no reason to question the
student's or family's good-faith effort to obtain the required
documentation, the institution may accept a signed statement
certifying that the individual attempted to obtain the verification of
nonfiling from the IRS or other relevant tax authority and was unable
to obtain the required documentation.
For IRS extension filers, the signed statement must also indicate that
the individual has not filed a 2020 income tax return and list the
sources of any 2020 income, and the amount of income from each source.
Since individuals without a Social Security Number, an Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number, or an Employer Identification Number
are unable to obtain a verification of nonfiling from the IRS, these
individuals whose income is below the IRS filing threshold must submit
to the institution a signed and dated statement--
(a) Certifying that the individual(s) does not have a Social Security
Number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or an Employer
Identification Number; and
(b) Listing the sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and
resources that supported the individual(s) for the 2020 tax year.
\5\ An unexpired valid government-issued photo identification is one
issued by the U.S. government, any of the 50 States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a federally recognized
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribe, American Samoa, Guam, the
Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia,
or the Republic of Palau.
Verification Requirements for Individuals Who Are Eligible for an Auto
Zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Only the following FAFSA/ISIR information must be verified:
For dependent students--
<bullet> The parents' AGI if the parents were tax filers;
<bullet> The parents' income earned from work if the parents were
nontax filers; and
<bullet> The student's identity/statement of educational purpose,
if selected.
For independent students--
<bullet> The student's and spouse's AGI if they were tax filers;
<bullet> The student's and spouse's income earned from work if they
were nontax filers;
<bullet> The student's identity/statement of educational purpose,
if selected; and
<bullet> The number of household members to determine if the
independent student has one or more dependents other than a spouse.
Note: Verification of nonfiling \4\ from the IRS (or other relevant
tax authority, if applicable) dated on or after October 1, 2021, must
be provided for (1) independent students (and spouses, if applicable)
and parents of dependent students who did not file and are not required
to file a 2020 income tax return, and (2) individuals who are required
to file a 2020 IRS income tax return but have not filed because they
have been granted a tax filing extension by the IRS beyond the
automatic six-month extension for the 2020 tax year.
The individual FAFSA items that an applicant must verify are based
upon the Verification Tracking Group to which the applicant is assigned
as outlined in the following chart.
[[Page 49006]]
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FAFSA information
Verification tracking flag Verification required to be
tracking group name verified
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V1.......................... Standard Tax Filers:
Verification. <bullet> Adjusted
Group............... Gross Income.
<bullet> U.S. Income
Tax Paid.
<bullet> Untaxed
Portions of IRA
Distributions and
Pensions.
<bullet> IRA
Deductions and
Payments.
<bullet> Tax Exempt
Interest Income.
<bullet> Education
Tax Credits.
Nontax Filers:
<bullet> Income
Earned from Work.
Tax Filers and
Nontax Filers:
<bullet> Number of
Household Members.
<bullet> Number in
College.
V2.......................... Reserved............ N/A.
V3.......................... Reserved............ N/A.
V4.......................... Custom Verification <bullet> Identity/
Group. Statement of
Educational
Purpose.
V5.......................... Aggregate Tax Filers:
Verification Group. <bullet> Adjusted
Gross Income.
<bullet> U.S. Income
Tax Paid.
<bullet> Untaxed
Portions of IRA
Distributions and
Pensions.
<bullet> IRA
Deductions and
Payments.
<bullet> Tax Exempt
Interest Income.
<bullet> Education
Tax Credits.
Nontax Filers
<bullet> Income
Earned from Work.
Tax Filers and
Nontax Filers:
<bullet> Number of
Household Members.
<bullet> Number in
College.
<bullet> Identity/
Statement of
Educational
Purpose.
V6.......................... Reserved............ N/A.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Sources for Detailed Information
We provide a more detailed discussion on the verification process
in the following resources:
<bullet> 2022-2023 Application and Verification Guide.
<bullet> 2022-2023 ISIR Guide.
<bullet> 2022-2023 SAR Comment Codes and Text.
<bullet> 2022-2023 COD Technical Reference.
<bullet> Program Integrity Information--Questions and Answers on
Verification at <a href="http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/verification.html">www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/verification.html</a>.
These publications are on the Information for Financial Aid
Professionals website at <a href="http://www.ifap.ed.gov">www.ifap.ed.gov</a>.
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities
can obtain this document in an accessible format. The Department will
provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich
Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file,
braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc or other accessible
format.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at <a href="http://www.govinfo.gov">www.govinfo.gov</a>. At this site you can view this
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at
the site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at:
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a, 1070b--1070b-4, 1087a-1087j,
and 20 U.S.C. 1087-51--1087-58.
Michelle Asha Cooper,
Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-18864 Filed 8-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.