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Financial Aid Verification Process

Each year, students and their families apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additional documentation is requested by the financial aid office to ensure the information provided on the FAFSA is accurate. Federal regulation requires the financial aid office to ask you for this information before offering federal aid under the financial aid program rules 34CFR, Part 668. Because this information is used to determine need-based aid, reporting this information accurately is crucial. If verification results in a change in your FAFSA a new BW Offer Letter will be sent.

If your FAFSA is selected for verification and you wish to receive federal, state and/or certain types of institutional financial aid, you are required to go through the verification. Failure to complete the process will prevent BW from releasing these funds to the student's account.

Once you have been selected you will be notified by both BW and the US Department of Education.

  • New, first-time students should be notified by:

    • An email or letter Student Aid Report (SAR) from the US Department of Education
    • A letter mailed to their home
    • An email notification listing the documents needed
    • Missing documents will be identified on the financial aid self-service tool in MyRecords
    • An initial financial aid offer with a verification statement at the top of the letter, as well as a special notice inserted with the offer letter documents
  • Returning students should be notified by:

    • An email or letter Student Aid Report (SAR) from the US Department of Education
    • An email notification sent to their BW email address directing them to the financial aid self-service tool in MyRecords
    • Required documents will be identified on the financial aid self-service tool in MyRecords

Requested Items

Verification requires validation of both household and tax information. The following documentation may be requested to confirm the information on the FAFSA:

  • BW Verification Worksheet (form #3)
  • Tax Information for the specified year
    • IRS Direct Data Exchange option - available through the FAFSA process
    • A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040
    • IRS Tax Return Transcript - IRS Form 4506-T, box 7
    • Verification of Non-Filing - IRS Form 4506-T, box 7
    • Wage statements

For the items specifically requested from you, please visit the financial aid self-service tool in MyRecords.

Verification FAQs

Federal ID Code

BW's Federal ID Code: 003014


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