Verification is a process in which the U.S. Department of Education requires UNLV to confirm certain information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For the 2022-2023 academic year, the U.S. Department of Education has waived this requirement for most students. Some students will still need to provide documentation of their identity or their high school completion. For students who revise their FAFSAs, or who have submitted documents to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, this additional information must still be reviewed before financial aid eligibility can be determined.
The U.S. Department of Education has not announced a waiver for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will contact students directly through the Rebel Success Hub if any documents are required for verification.
How do I complete verification?
To complete verification, start by following the instructions in your MyUNLV To-Do List. After reviewing your to-do list, log into the Rebel Success Hub and click the Financial Aid Verification Home button to begin the form. The Verification Form will be specific to you and will include which documents you need to provide.
Submit all of the required documents as soon as possible to ensure the timely packaging of financial aid. Students must complete verification if they want to receive financial aid assistance, including federal aid.
How long does the verification process take?
The time it takes the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to process verification depends on many factors, including the receipt of all required documentation and whether multiple reviews are needed. Be sure to frequently check your MyUNLV To-Do List, your Rebelmail, and the Rebel Success Hub for updates or additional documentation requests to ensure timely processing.
What documentation is required to complete verification?
The U.S. Department of Education does not release why an applicant is selected for verification. UNLV is required to check various components of your completed FAFSA. However, there are standard documents that students selected for verification will submit, such as the Verification Form (which verifies your household size) in the Rebel Success Hub and provide the following:
From the tax year used when completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
-
If you and/or your parent(s) filed taxes:
- Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) OR,
- Submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript OR,
- If you cannot use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) from the FAFSA or request a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript, you and/or your parent must print and sign your federal tax return.
- To qualify as a signed tax return the document must either:
- Be signed by at least one of the tax filers. The signature must be on the line on the tax return designated for the signature of the tax filer OR,
- Include the tax preparer’s stamped, typed, signed, or printed name and Social Security Number (SSN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), or Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
- If your tax return includes neither the signature of at least one of the tax filers nor the preparer’s certification, it does not qualify as a signed tax return.
- To qualify as a signed tax return the document must either:
- If you and/or your parent(s) earned income from any source, submit a copy of each W-2 received
- If you and/or your parent(s) earned income but did not earn enough to be required to file taxes, submit an IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter
More detailed information about transcript types and ways to order them is available on the IRS website.
UNLV may need to request additional documents beyond the verification worksheet and tax/wage information. We will communicate with you to inform you of anything else that is needed to complete the verification process.
What qualifies as a signed tax return?
To qualify as a signed tax return the document must either:
- Be hand-signed by at least one of the tax filers. The signature must be on the line on the tax return designated for the signature of the tax filer OR,
- Include the tax preparer’s stamped, typed, signed, or printed name and Social Security Number (SSN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), or Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
If your tax return includes neither the signature of at least one of the tax filers nor the preparer’s certification, it does not qualify as a signed tax return.
How do I request a Non-Filing Letter from the IRS?
An IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter provides proof that the IRS has no record of a filed tax return for the year you requested. There are two methods to request a Non-Filing Letter:
Request Online
Instantly retrieve an online copy by following these instructions:
- Visit the IRS Website.
- Click the Get Transcript Online button.
- Enter the information requested, which will be used to verify your identity.
- Click Continue.
- Select Verification of Non-Filing Letter. In the tax year field, select the year required for processing your file (i.e., for 2021-2022, select 2019 for the tax year).
- If successfully validated, you will be able to download your IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
Please submit a copy of the letter with your NSHE ID Number included to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office through the Rebel Success Hub.
Note: The online tool requires the user to register before submitting a request. If you cannot validate your identity at any point, you will need to use the Request by Mail option.
Request by Mail
Receive a paper copy by completing the Form 4506-T Request for Transcript of Tax Return and following these instructions:
- Visit the IRS Website and download the Form 4506-T.
- Complete the form following the instructions found on page 2. Be sure to:
- Line 7: Check box 7 to select Verification of Non-Filing.
- Line 8: If W-2 or 1099 forms are also needed, check box 8.
- Line 9: In the Year or Period Requested field, enter the year required for processing your file (i.e., for 2022-2023, select 2020 for the tax year).
- Above the signature, check the signatory authority box. The non-filer must sign and date the form and enter their telephone number.
- Submit the completed form by mail or fax to the IRS. The mail address and fax number are provided on page 2 of the form.
- If successfully validated, it will take 7-10 business days to receive the IRS Verification of Non-Filing Letter at the address provided on the request.
Please submit a copy of the letter with your NSHE ID Number included to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office through the Rebel Success Hub.
Need Help?
You can call the IRS help center at 1-800-829-1040 Monday through Friday from 7am - 7pm EST.
If an individual is unable to obtain a Verification of Non-Filing Letter from the IRS or other tax authorities, the following is acceptable:
- A signed statement certifying that the individual:
- Attempted to obtain the verification of non-filing from the IRS or other tax authority and was unable to obtain it, AND
- Has not filed and is not required to file an income tax return for the tax year being verified; AND
- Listed the employer and amount earned from every source of income by the individual for the tax year being verified; AND
- A copy of the IRS Form W-2, or an equivalent document, for each source of employment income received by the individual for the tax year being verified.
Example Letter
Student Name
Date
I attempted to obtain a confirmation of non-filing from the IRS and could not obtain it.
I did not file taxes for the year 2020 and I was not required to file a tax return.
I worked at Foot Locker and made $366 in 2020 (see attached 2020 W-2 from Foot Locker).
Signature
Will my financial aid disburse if I'm selected for verification?
In most cases, your financial aid will not disburse to your account until you complete verification. However, if you’re selected for verification after your financial aid has disbursed, you still need to complete verification. If you do not comply, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will revoke your financial aid, and you will have to repay any amount disbursed.
What happens if I don't complete verification?
You must complete verification if you want to receive financial aid assistance, including federal.
Integrity of Financial Aid Program Funds
The UNLV Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is obligated under the Federal Code of Regulation, 34 CFR 668.16(g), to refer fraudulent activity in obtaining Federal financial aid assistance. The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Education will be notified if the office finds credible information indicating an applicant may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with their FAFSA.