Verification: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Verification is the process NKU uses to confirmation that the data reported on your FAFSA application is accurate. The Verification process ensures that students receive all the financial aid to which they are entitled. Verification selection is conducted by the Department of Education.

Due to Federal regulations, we will no longer be accepting verification documents as attachments via ofa@nku.edu email account.

Starting April 1, 2024, all verification documentations must be submitted to the OSFA via one of the following methods listed below:

1. Upload all completed forms via MyNKU Portal (see below for instructions)

2. Mail hardcopies of the completed forms to: Student Financial Assistance, Lucas Administrative Center, Rm 416, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099

3. Drop off the completed forms in-person to Norse One Stop, which is located on campus in the Lucas Administrative Center, 3rd Floor, Room 301.

Uploading Documents on MyNKU Portal

Navigate to the MyNKU portal and log in using your NKU username and password
Go to the Financial Aid Tab, and open it up. You should see a window that looks similiar to this one.
Once on this screen, click on the "Upload Document" link located on the right side of the screen.

Once you click on "Upload Document", this screen will appear.
Please select Verification from the drop down list

Follow the instructions, on the screen to attach all of your completed documents.
Once you have attached the documents, please click the "Begin Upload" button at the bottom of the screen.
Please Note: It will take at least one hour for the documents to be visible to the Office of Student Financial Assistance team members.

FAQs ABOUT VERIFICATION

How will I know if I am selected for Verification?

If you are selected for Verification by the federal processor, there will be an asterisk next to your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your Student Aid Report (SAR). If the NKU Office of Student Financial Assistance selects your application for Verification, the office will contact you in writing to let you know both that you have been selected and what additional documentation is required. You can also review your myNKU account for documentation needed. NKU will notify you by mail and email instructing you through the Verification process.

Why was I selected for Verification?

Students may be chosen for Verification randomly, the FAFSA submitted was incomplete, the FAFSA contains estimated information, or the data that was provided on the FAFSA is inconsistent. NKU may select students who have conflicting information or make corrections after the student has been packaged for financial aid.

Where can I get my Verification worksheet?

Log in to your myNKU portal, click on the financial aid tab, and then click on the documents tab. Here you will see which verification you were selected for and can download the appropriate worksheet.

If you cannot download the worksheet from myNKU, see the Office of Financial Assistance for a paper copy.

Applicable ONLY to financial aid applicants who have been chosen for Verification

Important: The manner in which federal tax information is collected by colleges and universities has changed. Signed copies of federal tax returns (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ) are no longer acceptable documents for Verification.

Only an official Tax Return Transcript is considered acceptable documentation.

To obtain a free IRS Tax Return Transcript go to www.irs.gov and click "Order a Return or Account Transcript." Make sure to order the "IRS Tax Return Transcript" and not the "IRS tax account transcript". You may also request the tax return transcript by calling the IRS at 1-800-908-9946.

Use of the Data Retrieval Tool When Completing the FAFSA

Students and their parents who are required to file a federal tax return are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA. The tool allows for your federal tax information to be transferred directly to your FAFSA.

Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is the most accurate way to report tax information when completing the FAFSA. It is not a guarantee that you will not be selected for the Verification process if you utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

If you filed a tax return electronically, the data will be available in 1-2 weeks through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Allow 6-8 weeks for data from tax returns filed by paper.

How to use the Data Retrieval Tool (from http://fafsa.gov):

Enter your FSA ID* and click Link To IRS
- You will not be asked to enter your FSA ID if you entered the FSA ID to begin your FAFSA.
Your FAFSA will be saved and you will be transferred to the IRS Web site.
On the IRS Web site, enter the requested information.
Once the IRS has validated your identification, your IRS tax information will display. You can either transfer your information from the IRS, or choose to return to FAFSA on the Web from the IRS Web site. If you do not transfer your information or choose not to return from the IRS Web site, you will have to login to open your saved FAFSA.
If you transfer your IRS tax information, questions that are populated with tax information will be marked with "Transferred from the IRS."

Please note: We suggest you provide verification documentation to our office within 30 days in order to prevent delayed disbursement of your financial aid.

Please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for additional information.

Verification

Due to Federal regulations, we will no longer be accepting verification documents as attachments via ofa@nku.edu email account.

Use of the Data Retrieval Tool When Completing the FAFSA

The Office of Student Financial Assistance

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