Financial Aid & Scholarships

THIS PROCESS IS IMPORTANT TO COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID AT NWC.

What is Verification?

Verification is a quality control process in the administration of Federal Student Aid required by the U.S. Department of Education. Being selected for verification does not necessarily mean the applicant made an error when filing their application. The NWC Financial Aid Office (FAO) is simply required to conduct activities that will verify the accuracy of information provided by students (and spouses/parents/step-parents, if applicable) when they apply for federal student aid.

What Information is required to be Verified?

Students whose applications are selected for verification will be required to submit specified documentation to the Northwest College Financial Aid Office.

NOTE: for the 2024-2025 FAFSA application (for the fall 2024/spring 2025/summer 2025); the 2022 year is the applicable federal tax filing information required.

1. Tax Documentation

For those who are notified by the Financial Aid Office that a copy of the federal tax return filing is necessary to complete the verification process, there are two options to submit the required federal information:

Option #1: Submit a Federal IRS Tax Return Transcript to the NWC Financial Aid Office

Pick one of the following online options in order to obtain a tax transcript from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Use the Social Security Number (or the IRS individual taxpayer identification number) and date of birth of the first person listed on IRS income tax return, and the address on file with the IRS (normally this will be the address used on the appropriate year IRS income tax return).

NOTE: Request a return transcript, NOT an account transcript, unless you (or parents, if applicable) have amended the return. Then request both a return transcript and an account transcript. It can take up to 30 days for the IRS to process your request. Please plan accordingly.

Option #2: Submit a signed copy of the requested year federal 1040 Income Tax Return and all applicable schedules to the NWC Financial Aid Office

*If the student/spouse/parents/step-parent (as applicable) earned income from work and were not required to file a federal tax return, the NWC Financial Aid Office will need:

2. Institutional Verification Form

There are separate forms for this process, depending on the type of verification required. The Required Financial Aid Documents page in your MyNWC College Portal account under Financial Aid header will list the titles of all forms needed. Or you can find them on our <strong">Financial Aid Forms page.

Your Required Financial Aid Documents (login required)

Financial Aid Forms

3. Other information, as requested (items may include, but not limited to):

• A copy of the student's military discharge (Form DD-214).
• A copy of the student's Marriage Certificate.
• Copy of the appropriate year student/spouse and/or parent W-2 forms
• Proof that a student:
  • has not borrowed more than the aggregate student loan allowance
  • does not owe repayment on a previous over-award
  • is not in default on a federal student loan
• Verification of Child Support Paid/Received
• Verification of Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• A copy of the student's Social Security card.
• A copy of Birth Certificate(s) and proof of dependency for children the student supports.
• High School (or equivalency) completion status
• Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose
• Official transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions (institutions of higher education)

IMPORTANT

1. All required documentation must be received and reviewed by the NWC Financial Aid Office, and any discrepancies must be resolved before a student's eligibility can be determined.
2. Upon completion of the verification process, the NWC Financial Aid Office will notify the student of the results. If the student is eligible for financial aid they will receive an Offer Letter.
3. Northwest College does not award federal aid or certify federal student loans until the verification process is complete and any/all corrections are made, reprocessed, and received by the NWC Financial Aid Office.

Note

Students who are selected for verification will be notified by the NWC Financial Aid Office of the documentation requirements. All required documentation should be submitted as soon as possible after it is requested (to prevent delay in receiving your aid).