Verification is the process of checking the accuracy of the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (
FAFSA).
The guidelines used for verification are published annually in the U.S. Department of Education's Verification Guide. It is Christian Theological Seminary's policy to verify all applicants selected for verification by the Central Processing System (CPS). Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) 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 Work-Study Program
The Federal Stafford Loan Program
For verification purposes CTS 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 CTS programs, until the verification process has been completed.
Verification Deadlines
Applicants selected for verification will be required to submit documentation to the CTS Financial Aid Office in support of data supplied on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 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 of 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 Processing System (CPS) corrections to FAFSA data resulting from verification. The CPS 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 is included along with other financial aid policies and procedures in written documentation that is made available to all students. This policy is also included on the financial aid website.
Overpayments, Fraud and Abuse
If corrections resulting from the verification process decrease an applicant's award and create an overpayment situation, Christian Theological Seminary 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, CTS will refer the overpayment to the Education Department for collection.
The Christian Theological Seminary Financial Aid Office will report to the Office of the 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.