Financial Aid Verification Changes for 2021-2022

Great news for students! The financial aid application process just got easier for 2021-2022.  In order to provide relief to students who are facing challenges due to the ongoing national emergency, the Department of Education recently announced that for the 2021-2022 aid year that begins this fall, the majority of students will no longer have to complete the verification process. Income and household information that normally requires verification for about one third of financial aid applicants will no longer be required. Documents already submitted must still be reviewed, corrections made, and any conflicting information in the student’s file must be resolved.    

By August 1, 2021, most students should no longer see instructions on their NOVAConnect asking them to complete the 2021-2022 verification process with Inceptia unless they need to resolve conflicting information. Any other open items listed on a student’s NOVAConnect To Do List must still be completed before NOVA Financial Aid can determine eligibility and disburse aid. 

Based on the information released by the Department of Education, verification for the 2021-2022 aid year will focus primarily on identity and fraud. Selected students must complete the Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose Form and/or provide proof of their high school completion status. Selection does not mean the student is suspected of fraud.   

The Department of Education also still requires institutions to resolve instances of conflicting information. For example, such instances can occur when NOVA receives a subsequent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) transaction with different values reported for the same question or when information reported on the FAFSA does not match information provided by federal agencies like the Social Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security or if it does not match NOVA’s records.

Please note that these verification changes apply only to the 2021-2022 aid year and are not applicable to fall 2020, spring 2021, summer 2021 or future years. Students and parents are still encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if they are eligible to do so, in order to transfer accurate financial information into the FAFSA and reduce the time it takes to apply for financial aid.

If students have any questions about financial aid, including these verification changes, they may visit the Financial Aid Virtual Lobby or email finaidsupport@nvcc.edu.  

Submitted by:
Clint Young, Financial Aid and Support Services, JCYoung@nvcc.edu