Garden City Community College

Verification is a process used to validate certain information you entered on your FAFSA. Institutions that participate in Federal Title IV aid programs are required to perform verification on selected students.  Verification selection by the U.S. Department of Education or by GCCC can be random or because your FAFSA data was incomplete, estimated, or inconsistent.  You will need to submit all required documentation before any funds can be disbursed to you. 

• You will be notified of verification documents required and/or missing information by a hard copy letter mailed via USPS; this letter includes a description of all required documents, instructions and deadlines to submit.
• Verification requires you to submit a variety of information to the financial aid office, which may include worksheets, tax return transcripts, W-2 forms, etc.
• Processing usually takes up to 2 weeks, but it can take up to 4 weeks during the peak months of July, August, and January.  Because verification must be completed in advance of disbursing any funds, it is vital to send complete and correct information as quickly as possible.
• If you are selected for verification, it is your responsibility as the student to submit all required documents in a timely manner to receive any eligible aid disbursements.
• You must provide all requested documentation as soon as possible after it is requested, and no later than 120 days after your last date of enrollment for the award year or after the verification deadline published in the Federal Register for that award year, whichever comes sooner. 
• In certain cases, you may be selected for verification after some or all of your financial aid has disbursed.  Failure to complete verification within the established timeframe, or changes in your eligibility, as a result of verification, may cause your awards to be reduced or cancelled.
• Notice: If our office suspects that a student or other individual has purposely provided false or misleading information to obtain federal funds fraudulently, you may be reported to the U.S. Office of Inspector General and may be subjected to a fine, sentenced to jail, or both, by the U.S. Department of Education.