University asking for SSN card and driver's license for FAFSA verification - is this normal?
So I just got an email from my university (State University) saying they need a copy of my driver's license and social security card before they can process my financial aid package and send me my award letter. They claim it's part of their FAFSA verification process. I've never had to send such sensitive documents before - is this legit or a scam? The email looked official with the university logo and came from a .edu email, but I'm super hesitant to email copies of these documents. Has anyone else been asked to provide these specific documents for FAFSA verification? If it's normal, what's the safest way to send them?
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Mateo Sanchez
DONT DO IT!!!! This sounds like a phishing scam to me. I work in IT and universities NEVER ask for your full social security card via email. FAFSA verification usually requires tax transcripts, household info forms, maybe your W-2, but NOT your drivers license AND social card together!!! That's identity theft 101. Call the financial aid office directly using the number from the official website (not from the email) and verify if this is real. I bet you $100 it's not.
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GalaxyGazer
AuthorThanks for the quick response! I'll definitely call them tomorrow morning using the number from their website. The email did look really legitimate though - it had all the right logos and formatting from other university emails I've gotten. I'm worried if I don't send these in soon I'll miss out on aid for next semester.
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Aisha Mahmood
While I agree with being cautious, some schools do require additional verification documents beyond what FAFSA initially requests. It's called institutional verification, which is different from federal verification. However, they typically don't ask for these exact documents via email. Most schools would have you upload these to a secure student portal or bring them in person. I would definitely call the financial aid office directly to confirm if this request is legitimate before sending anything.
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Ethan Moore
my cousin had to submit her passport for verification at her school but they had a secure upload thingy on the student portal not thru email so yeah definietly check if its real first
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Yuki Kobayashi
This seems fishy to me. When I went through verification last year, they asked for my parents' tax information and had me fill out a verification worksheet, but never asked for my ID or SS card. They definitely wouldn't ask you to send these documents through regular email since that's not secure. Maybe check your student portal to see if there are any official communications about verification requirements there?
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GalaxyGazer
AuthorGood idea about the student portal - I just checked and there's nothing there about needing these documents which makes me even more suspicious. The email said to reply directly with scanned copies which now that I'm thinking about it seems really unsafe.
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Carmen Vega
Financial aid advisor here. This is concerning. While schools do conduct verification processes, sending your SSN card and driver's license via email is NOT standard procedure and would violate security protocols at most institutions. Legitimate verification typically requires: 1. Verification worksheets (sent through secure portals) 2. Tax return transcripts 3. W-2 forms 4. Sometimes statements of educational purpose For identity verification, you might need to present ID in person or through a notarized form, but they wouldn't ask for both license and SSN card via email. Contact your financial aid office immediately through their official phone number. If it is somehow legitimate, they'll have secure methods for document submission.
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GalaxyGazer
AuthorThank you for this detailed explanation! I called the financial aid office this morning, and you were right - it was a sophisticated phishing attempt. The real financial aid office confirmed they'd never ask for these documents via email. I'm reporting the fake email to campus IT security now. Really appreciate everyone's quick warnings!
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QuantumQuester
I had something similar happen but it turned out to be legit - BUT they wanted me to bring the documents IN PERSON or upload to their secure system. They absolutely did NOT want them emailed. Email is not secure for those kinds of documents. Call the financial aid office directly!
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Andre Moreau
This is exactly right. I spent literally HOURS trying to call the Federal Student Aid helpline about a similar verification issue last semester. Kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that held my place in line and called me back when an agent was available. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Saved me so much time and frustration. Might be helpful if you need to speak directly with FSA about verification requirements in general.
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Ethan Moore
my school made me verify my fafsa last yr but they jus wanted tax forms n stuff they NEVEr asked for SS card thats sketch af
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Yuki Kobayashi
Same here. They asked for a bunch of financial documents but NEVER my social security card. That's way too risky to send over email.
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Aisha Mahmood
Update on this topic: I just spoke with a colleague in university financial aid. There is a legitimate verification process called 'identity and statement of educational purpose verification' that sometimes requires government-issued photo ID, but: 1. It NEVER should be submitted via email 2. Social security cards are NOT part of this process 3. For distance students, this verification must be completed with a notary public So if you receive requests like this, always verify through official channels before sending anything. Your school's financial aid office can confirm what's actually required.
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GalaxyGazer
AuthorThis is really helpful information. The financial aid office confirmed it was definitely a scam. They're now sending emails to all students warning about this phishing attempt. Apparently several other students received the same fake email. I'm glad I checked here before sending anything!
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Mateo Sanchez
Pro tip: NEVER send sensitive documents via regular email. Any legitimate university will provide a secure upload portal or physical dropoff option. If you're ever unsure, ALWAYS call the office directly using the official number from the university website.
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Zoe Stavros
yep ive been through 2 verifications for fafsa and both times needed to use the secure student portal to upload documents. regular email is never acceptable for things with your SSN
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Zara Malik
I'm glad you trusted your instincts and asked here before sending anything! This is a perfect example of why scammers target students during financial aid season - they know people are anxious about deadlines and might act quickly without verifying. For anyone else reading this: legitimate FAFSA verification requests will come through official channels (student portal, official mail, or in-person), never ask for both SSN card AND driver's license together via email, and always give you secure submission options. When in doubt, hang up and call back using the official number from your school's website. Your caution probably saved you from major identity theft!
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