DonateVerification Policy
Verification is the process of checking the accuracy of the information supplied by financial aid applicants on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The guidelines used for verification are those published annually in the U.S. Department of Education’s Verification Guide. It is Martin University’s policy to verify all applicants selected for verification by the Central Processing System (CPS). Martin University also reserves the right to select additional applications for verification.
The verification requirements delineated in this policy statement apply to all applicants for federal student aid under the following programs:
- The Federal Pell Grant Program
- The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
- The Federal Work-Study Program
- The Federal Stafford Loan Program
For verification purposes, Martin University defines a financial aid applicant as an enrolled student who is eligible to receive federal financial aid.
Aid will not be disbursed from any of the aforementioned programs as well as any need-based aid programs administered by the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana until the verification process has been completed.
Verification Deadlines: Applicants selected for verification will be required to submit documentation to the Martin University Financial Aid Office in support of the data supplied on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The financial aid office will notify selected applicants of the documentation needed to complete the verification process. All information required to complete the verification process or to resolve conflicting data must be submitted by the applicant’s last day of attendance for the award year being verified. If all information is not received by this deadline, the applicant forfeits all rights to any aid for which the applicant would be otherwise eligible for the award year.
Applicant Correction and Notification Procedures: The financial aid office will electronically submit to the Central Processor (CPS) corrections to FAFSA data resulting from verification. The Central Processor will then send notification of these changes to the applicant as notification of these corrections. Applicants will be notified of award changes resulting from verification by the receipt of an updated award notification from the financial aid office.
Notification of Verification Policies and Procedures: This verification policy will be included along with other financial aid policies and procedures in written documentation that will be made available to all students.
Overpayments, Fraud, and Abuse: If corrections resulting from the verification process decrease an applicant’s award and create an overpayment situation, Martin University will send notification of this situation to the applicant and attempt to collect the overpayment. If collection of the overpayment from the applicant cannot be made, Martin University will refer the overpayment to the Education Department for collection.
The Martin University Financial Aid Office will report to the Office of Inspector General all instances of suspected fraud where a financial aid applicant, employee, or other individual has misreported and/or altered documentation for the purpose of increasing aid eligibility or fraudulently obtaining federal funds.