Verification Guide for Financial Aid

Verification is the process of comparing the data on the student's FAFSA and actual documentation. CCBC is required by federal law, to collect the necessary documentation and verify certain data elements for any discrepancies.

If a student is selected for verification, the process must be completed before any financial aid can be disbursed and certain financial aid can be offered.

The Financial Aid Office may verify some or all of the following data elements:

  • Adjusted Gross Income (student and parent, if the student is dependent)
  • Taxes Paid (student and parent, if the student is dependent)
  • Income Earned from Work (for non-tax filers)
  • Certain Untaxed Income Items (student and parent, if the student is dependent)
  • Household Size
  • Number in College (excluding parents for a dependent student)
  • Child Support Paid
  • Educational Purpose
  • Any other inconsistent or conflicting information

Frequently asked questions about verification

Who is selected for verification?

Students may be selected at random, incomplete information on FAFSA, estimated income information provided, or the data provided is inconsistent. You could be selected for verification at any time during the academic year, so it is essential to check your CCBC email and SIMON account at least once a week.

What type of documents are required for verification?

To verify certain data elements, we may request the following; however, this is not a complete list. Requested documents will be on an individual student basis and verification status.
  • Prior year Federal Tax Transcript (student and parent, if the student is dependent)
  • Verification Worksheet - Linked directly through your SIMON account
  • Wage and Income Transcript (student and parent, if the student is dependent)
  • Child Support documentation
  • Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose

When could I be selected for verification?

Students can be selected at the time a FAFSA is initially submitted to the federal processor, any time changes are made to a FAFSA, or any time by the CCBC Financial Aid Office.

How will I know if I have been selected for verification?

If you are selected by the federal processor, you will be notified on your Student Aid Report (SAR). Your SAR will have an asterisk next to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. There is traditionally a note listed on the SAR with instructions that your school will contact you.  

CCBC will notify you via your CCBC email and SIMON account if we are requesting verification documents.  We will also send notifications via your SIMON account.  

To identify if you have unsatisfied requirements:

  • Log into SIMON
  • Click on Financial Aid tab
  • It will automatically default to the current aid year, please take notice of the aid year in the upper right-hand corner
  • Any satisfied or unsatisfied requirements will be listed on the main Financial Aid page.

To view your personalized notifications:

  • Log into SIMON
  • Click on Financial Aid tab
  • Click on Notifications tab
  • It will automatically default to the current aid year, please take notice of the aid year in the upper right-hand corner

Why am I selected?

The federal government or CCBC may select students for verification. Federal regulations require at least 30% of financial aid recipients at CCBC be selected for verification.

What is the deadline for completing the verification process?

All applicants are encouraged to submit the required forms and documentation as quickly as possible. For federal aid recipients, the deadline for submitting verification documents is 120 days from the applicant’s last date of enrollment OR September 1 of the next academic year (whichever comes first). This includes making any necessary corrections, submitting those corrections to the Central Processing System, and submitting the new corrected Student Aid Report (SAR) to the institution.

How can I complete my verification with CCBC?

It's very simple! Access your SIMON and identify the list of unsatisfied requirements (directions listed above) and submit them to us as soon as possible. We can accept your documents via:

  • In-person
  • Secure Document Upload - Link available within your SIMON account
  • Fax: 443-840-2824
  • Mail