Verification Policy
The U.S. Department of Education mandates schools use the verification process to check the accuracy of information provided on the selected applicant’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The verification process is meant to ensure that federal student financial aid is disbursed equitably and according to federal law and program regulation. The U.S. Department of Education selects applications for verification. The College also has the right to select applications to be verified.
Student's Responsibilities
It is the student’s responsibility to provide requested information so that the verification process can be completed by the school’s published deadline, noted below.
IMPORTANT:
- Montgomery County Community College will not disburse federal student financial aid until the verification process is complete.
- Failure to complete the verification process may result in a student not being eligible for federal aid and they will need to explore other options to pay for classes.
Failure to pay for classes by the College's published tuition payment deadlines may result in the student being dropped from registered classes.
Notification of Verification
Verification Processing
Montgomery County Community College has contracted with Inceptia to complete the verification process on behalf of Montgomery County Community College. Inceptia will work directly with the student to complete the verification process.
Inceptia directs students to a secure web portal for information about required verification documents and activities. The website is the primary communication point for verification information. Students should visit the site often during the verification process for information on outstanding items. The student will know their verification is complete when their financial aid checklist in Self-Service reflects a completed status.
Information Reviewed
Verification may include (but is not limited to) a review of the following data/documentation for a student, a student’s spouse, or parent(s) of a dependent student:
- Number of Household Members
- Number of Household members attending College
Tax Filers (U.S. and foreign):
- Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
- U.S. Tax Paid
- Untaxed IRA Distributions
- Untaxed Pensions
- Education Credits
- IRA Deductions
- Tax-Exempt Interest
Non Tax Filers:
- Income Earned from Work
In addition to the documentation listed above Inceptia or the College may request:
- Student's proof of identity (valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification)
- Student's Signed Statement of Educational Purpose
- Any documentation needed to resolve conflicting information
- Any documentation needed in a supplemental request
- Any documentation resulting from additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Education
Important Note: If an applicant uses the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer federal income tax return data to the FAFSA, the applicant is generally not required to verify that information.
In most instances, Inceptia submits FAFSA corrections to the Central Processor (CPS) that it has determined to be inaccurate or incomplete. Occasionally the student will be asked to correct their FAFSA application data by submitting an update. If changes made to the FAFSA impact the student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), the new Student Aid Report sent by the CPS as a result of those changes will reflect the new EFC.
For more detailed and comprehensive information please see Inceptia's Verification Policy and Procedures for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years.
Steps to Complete Verification
- Access Inceptia's secure Verification Gateway web portal for the academic year for which you are required to complete verification:
- Create your account and choose preferences for text messages and e-signatures
- Complete your Task List
- Confirm your signature and review your information
- E-Sign your account
IMPORTANT: If you are a dependent student, your parent must also create their own account and complete each of the above steps.
Deadlines
2022-23 Academic Year
A Pell applicant selected for verification must complete the process by the deadline published in the Federal Register or 120 days after the last day of the student’s enrollment, whichever is earlier.
Because corrections to the student's FAFSA may be required to complete verification, all required verification documentation for the 2022-23 academic year must be submitted by September 4, 2023 to meet the correction deadline imposed by the U.S. Department of Education.
2023-24 Academic Year
A Pell applicant selected for verification must complete the process by the deadline published in the Federal Register or 120 days after the last day of the student’s enrollment, whichever is earlier.
Because corrections to the student's FAFSA may be required to complete verification, all required verification documentation for the 2023-24 academic year must be submitted by September 4, 2024 to meet the correction deadline imposed by the U.S. Department of Education.
Questions about the Verification Process?
The College's Responsibilities
Montco is responsible for checking all other eligibility criteria before disbursing financial aid for the student. The school is also responsible for notifying the student of any changes made to an existing financial aid award package as a result of verification. Students will be made aware of these changes via email notification to their Montco student email and all changes will be reflected in the student's financial aid offer, viewable in Self-Service.
The College is required to notify the U.S. Office of Inspector General if they suspect that a student, employee or other individual has misreported information or altered documentation submitted in order for a student to fraudulently obtain federal funds.