FAFSA selected for verification after SAI calculation error - need to submit amended tax return

You don't need to file an amended tax return in this case. This is actually a common mistake! Since your tax filing with the IRS was correct, you just need to submit a correction to your FAFSA. Log into studentaid.gov, select 'Make FAFSA Corrections,' and update your income information to match your actual tax return. Then you'll need to submit verification documentation to your school's financial aid office - typically this means the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or an IRS Tax Return Transcript (which you can request for free on the IRS website). The verification process is stressful but straightforward if you have your documentation in order.

This happened to me last year and it was a complete nightmare!!!!! I was on the phone with FSA for HOURS trying to get someone to help me. The first person told me I needed to submit an amended return, the second person said I didn't, then the third person gave me completely different information. I ended up having to drive to my school's financial aid office and sit with them while they called FSA directly. My SAI recalculation took almost 6 weeks after all the documents were submitted which almost made me miss out on my state grant deadline. The whole system is RIDICULOUS.

Actually, this isn't as complicated as it seems. The verification process exists specifically for these types of situations. What you need to do is: 1. Correct your FAFSA online immediately 2. Print out the confirmation page after correction 3. Contact your school's financial aid office to explain the situation 4. Submit copies of your actual tax return + W-2s as verification documentation 5. Request an IRS Tax Return Transcript (takes 5-10 days to arrive) The amended return advice is incorrect - that's only if your actual tax filing with the IRS was wrong. In your case, you just entered incorrect info on the FAFSA form. I work at a university financial aid office, and we process these kinds of corrections regularly.

u need 2 call the federal student aid ppl directly. the website correction thing doesnt always work right. had the same issue and was on hold 4ever trying 2 reach someone but then i found this service called claimyr that got me through to a person in like 10 mins. they have a video demo of how it works here https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ it was waaaaaay easier than waiting for hours on hold. the fsa person corrected my app right over the phone and told me exactly what docs to send to my school. site is claimyr.com if u need it

dont panic man. your school can probably help you. my brother got selected for verification too, but the financial aid people at his school helped him fix it. just go talk to them, bring all your tax stuff. they know how to deal with this stuff. prolly happens all the time

I've been through the verification process twice now, and while it's a pain, it's manageable if you're organized. Here's what helped me: 1. Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for all verification documents 2. Request your Tax Return Transcript immediately at irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript 3. When you meet with your financial aid office, ask them for a timeline estimate in writing 4. Follow up weekly - not daily, as that can annoy them, but don't let your case sit 5. Document every communication with names and dates Also, the SAI recalculation may not be as bad as you fear. In my case, my SAI actually went down after verification (which meant more aid). Verification doesn't automatically mean less money, it just means they want to confirm your numbers are accurate.

One important thing to mention - make sure you're using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when you correct your FAFSA. This automatically pulls your tax information directly from the IRS into your FAFSA, which greatly reduces the chance of errors and typically speeds up the verification process. Many schools consider IRS DRT data to be already verified, which can streamline things considerably. You can access this tool during the correction process on studentaid.gov.

lol welcome to fasfa hell my friend!! been there done that got the tshirt. verification is their way of making sure ur not lying but also making everything 10000x harder for no reason. good luck!!

I just want to reassure you that this type of correction happens frequently, and financial aid offices have established procedures for handling it. While the verification process can delay your aid package finalization, it rarely results in a complete loss of aid eligibility. The key is to act quickly and be proactive with both FSA and your school's financial aid office. Most schools understand these situations and will work with you if you're communicative and responsive. Don't let stress paralyze you into inaction - just tackle each step methodically.

after u fix everything make sure u get something IN WRITING that says ur verification is complete!!! my friend thought everything was fixed but then found out 2 months later they were still missing some random form and almost lost his housing grant cuz of it

UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for their help! I used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to correct my FAFSA, met with my financial aid office, and submitted all my verification documents. They said the process typically takes 3-4 weeks but they'll try to expedite it since we're close to the deadline. I also used that Claimyr service that someone suggested to speak directly with an FSA agent who confirmed my correction was received and gave me a case number to reference. The financial aid advisor actually thanked me for being proactive instead of waiting until the last minute like most students do. I'm still nervous about how this might affect my aid package, but at least I'm taking all the right steps now. Will update again when I hear back about the verification results!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm a sophomore who just went through verification last semester, and I wanted to add one more tip that really helped me. When you're gathering your documents, also grab your Social Security Administration benefit statement (if applicable) and any records of untaxed income like child support or veterans benefits. My verification got delayed because I forgot to include documentation for some untaxed income that was on my original FAFSA. The financial aid office had to request additional documents, which added another 2 weeks to the process. It's better to bring everything upfront even if they don't end up needing it all. Also, definitely follow up regularly but be patient with the staff - they're usually dealing with hundreds of these cases during peak season. Good luck with your verification!

I went through a similar situation last year and want to share what worked for me! The key thing that saved me time was calling my school's financial aid office BEFORE submitting any corrections online. They were able to tell me exactly which documents they'd need for verification and gave me a checklist to follow. This prevented me from having to make multiple trips or submit additional paperwork later. Also, when you do correct your FAFSA, take screenshots of every page showing your corrected information - my counselor said this helps them process things faster since they can see exactly what changed. The verification process is stressful but definitely manageable if you stay organized and communicate proactively with your school. You've got this!