Financial Aid Verification

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Verification is the process used to ensure the accuracy of the information reported on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Selection for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or the school may be random. However, records are often selected to resolve conflicting information or to ensure the reported data is accurate and complete.

If your FAFSA is selected for verification, Bethel will mail the appropriate verification worksheet to you for completion. You will also see a link to the form under the Financial Aid Requirements in your MyBethel checklist.

When completing your FAFSA, students and contributors are required to give consent to have their Federal Tax Information (FTI) transferred from the IRS into the FAFSA form. This process, called Direct Data Exchange (DDX), has significantly reduced the number of records selected for verification.

How will I know I've been selected?

After submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary from the Department of Education, indicating whether you’ve been selected for verification. If selected, Bethel will send you the appropriate verification form outlining the process.

What documents do I need to submit if I'm selected?

Documents vary by student and academic year. Your verification form will indicate what needs to be verified and provide instructions for submitting the information. The Department of Education may adjust or add to the items the school must verify. If this happens, we will contact you to request additional documentation.

Which tax year do I need to provide income documentation for?

The FAFSA for 2025-2026 collects income information from your 2023 taxes. The FAFSA for 2024-2025 collects income information from your 2022 taxes.

How do I verify my income?

If you filed a Federal Income Tax return, you have options:

  1. Federal tax return transcript. You may contact the IRS to obtain a tax return transcript. After receiving it, submit it to the Bethel University Office of Financial Aid using our secure document upload tool.
    • Get transcript by mail—Go to irs.gov, select "Get Your Tax Record," then click "Get Transcript by Mail." Request the "Return Transcript," not the "Account Transcript". Transcripts are generally received within 10 business days.
    • Get transcript online—Go to irs.gov, select "Get Your Tax Record," then click "Get Transcript Online." Complete the identity authorization process. Select "Higher Education/Student Aid" as the reason for the transcript. Request the "Return Transcript," not the "Account Transcript".
    • Automated telephone request—800.908.9946. Follow the prompts and select "Option 2" to request a Tax Return Transcript not a Tax Account Transcript. The transcript is generally received within 10 business days from the IRS's receipt of the telephone request.
    • Automated telephone request—Call 800.908.9946. Follow the prompts and select "Option 2" to request a tax return transcript (not tax account transcript). Transcripts are generally received within 10 business days.
    • Paper request form—Use IRS form 4506-T (pdf). Carefully complete and request a "Return Transcript." Transcripts are generally received within 10 business days.
  2. Federal tax return. While a tax return transcript is preferred, Bethel can accept a signed copy of your federal income tax return (Form 1040) with schedules 1, 2, and 3 for income verification. Additional schedules or forms, such as W-2s, may be required to resolve conflicting information. Use the secure document upload tool to submit documents.
    • Income verification for 2025-2026 requires a signed copy of the federal 1040 for the 2023 tax year along with schedules 1, 2, and 3.
    • Income verification for 2024-2025 requires a signed copy of the federal 1040 for the 2022 tax year along with schedules 1, 2, and 3.

If you cannot use these methods, please document your issue and email the Office of Financial Aid for assistance.

How should I send the required information?

Tax documentation and other forms with personally identifiable information should not be sent via email. Use our secure document upload tool. You may also send documents via U.S. Postal Service or fax them to 651.635.1491. Ensure the student’s full name and Bethel ID number (if known) are included.

If you are completing the Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose, bring your form and valid government-issued photo ID to the Financial Aid Office. If you cannot appear in person, have a notary document your identity verification. Send the notarized form and supporting documents via U.S. Postal Service or drop them off in person; they cannot be faxed or emailed.

Can I verify my income if I don't file a federal income tax return?

Non-tax filers who need to verify income should complete and submit the Verification Form received from Bethel.  Be sure to include copies of W-2’s, or a statement indicating why a W-2 was not received.  Also, make sure to sign and date the verification form in the appropriate section certifying that you were not required to file a tax return.

How can I document my income if it was from a foreign source?

A tax filer who filed an income tax return with a tax authority other than the IRS may provide a signed copy of his/her income tax return that was filed with the relevant tax authority.  If the student/parent was a non-tax filer who earned foreign income; in addition to listing the income on the verification form, a verification of non-filing letter from the relevant non-IRS tax authority should be obtained.

What happens if there are discrepancies in my FAFSA?

After all required documents are submitted, Bethel will compare them to your FAFSA. If errors are found, we’ll make corrections and send them to the U.S. Department of Education for reprocessing. We’ll contact you with questions before making changes.

When do I need to complete verification?

We recommend submitting verification materials by July 1, before the fall term begins. Delays may result in your financial aid being postponed or denied.

If you do not complete the verification process before the term or your enrollment has ended, you jeopardize receiving any federal aid for the term.  Any delay in submitting all required documents will delay your financial aid, which ma result in you being responsible for paying all or part of your bill until your financial aid disbursement takes place.

Individuals who have filed extensions, or who are self-employed and file their taxes later in the year are not excused from the verification process. 

If you are selected, you must complete the verification process to be eligible for federal, state or institutional need-based aid or federal loans.

How long does a correction take?

Once all documents are received it takes approximately 10 business days for the verification review process and another 5 business days if corrections are needed.  More time may be necessary during peak periods (February through August).

What items are being verified?

Your verification form will specify documentation needed for items such as:

  • Adjusted gross income
  • Taxes paid
  • Income earned from work
  • Untaxed income
  • Family size
  • Education tax credits
  • Foreign income
  • Identity
  • Conflicting information (e.g., name, Social Security number, etc.)

What if I'm a victim of identity theft?

If you were a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft, you must provide:

  • A signed copy of your 2023 federal income tax return and all applicable schedules
  • An IRS 4674C letter or a signed, dated statement indicating you were a victim of tax-related identity theft and that the IRS is aware of it

What if I had an IRS or Pension Rollover?

If you had an IRS or pension rollover, the tax filer should provide a signed and dated copy of your federal tax return with the word “Rollover” written beside the applicable item(s). Alternatively, the tax filer can provide a written, signed statement to the Office of Financial Aid that includes the original distribution amount and the amount excluded due to the rollover.

What if I filed an amended tax return?

Tax filers who amended their tax returns must provide:

  • A copy of the IRS Tax Return Transcript or another IRS-issued transcript containing all income and tax information from the original return
  • A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040-X that was filed with the IRS

Alternatively, you may submit a signed copy of the original tax return filed with the IRS, along with the signed 1040-X form.

If you have questions about verification or require assistance, please contact the Office of Financial Aid by email at finaid@bethel.edu or by phone at 651.638.6241.