FAFSA and FAFSA Verification

What is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?

Once you have applied for admission, your next step is to apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required in order for you to be considered for assistance through federal programs (grants, work-study, student / parent loans), state programs (TN Student Assistance Award, Lottery Scholarships, etc.), and various need-based scholarships.

Filing your FAFSA

  • You (and parents as applicable) should apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID at studentaid.gov. The FSA ID is used to login to certain federal websites to access financial aid information and to electronically sign federal student aid documents such as the FAFSA.

For the 2022-23 award year (Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023), you can complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov beginning October 1, 2021

  • The 2022-23 FAFSA income information is based on prior-prior year (2020) income, which eliminates the need to estimate tax information.
  • On the FAFSA, enter the MTSU school code of 003510 so that we get the results.
  • If eligible, you (and parents / spouse as applicable) are strongly encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import your 2020 IRS tax information into the FAFSA. Doing so will reduce the chance that MTSU will be required to verify the accuracy of your information. 
  • The 2022-23 MTSU FAFSA filing priority date is February 1, 2022 to be considered for maximum financial aid assistance. However, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible beginning October 1, 2021.

For the 2023-24 award year (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024), you can complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov beginning October 1, 2022

  • The 2023-24 FAFSA income information is based on prior-prior year (2021) income, which eliminates the need to estimate tax information.
  • On the FAFSA, enter the MTSU school code of 003510 so that we get the results.
  • If eligible, you (and parents / spouse as applicable) are strongly encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import your 2021 IRS tax information into the FAFSA. Doing so will reduce the chance that MTSU will be required to verify the accuracy of your information. 
  • The 2023-24 MTSU FAFSA filing priority date is February 1, 2023 to be considered for maximum financial aid assistance. However, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible beginning October 1, 2022.

Your Student Aid Report (SAR)

Once you have filed your FAFSA, you will receive a paper or electronic response from the FAFSA processor called the Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR will give you some basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid and will also list your answers to questions on the FAFSA. It is very important that you review the SAR carefully and make sure that all information is correct as listed!

Your SAR will also include a number called the EFC, or Expected Family Contribution. Based on a federal formula, the EFC is the amount of support the federal government expects you to contribute toward your educational expenses. The EFC is listed on the first page of the Student Aid Report (SAR).

Review your SAR carefully and follow the directions provided to make corrections to any information that is incorrect. Your SAR may also direct you to supply additional or supplementary information to the MTSU Financial Aid Office. Please plan to follow those instructions as quickly as possible, so that we may get your financial files in order well in advance of the semester you plan to attend. Our office will also be reviewing an electronic version of your SAR to see if additional or supplementary information is needed. If additional information is needed, MTSU will contact you via your MTSU email account,

Please respond promptly to all requests from the Federal FAFSA Processor on your Student Aid Report (SAR) and/or to requests directly from MTSU. Unsatisfied requirements can be viewed in the Financial Aid Requirements & Holds section of your PipelineMT account.

Financial aid can't be awarded or paid to your student account unless all requested information and documentation has been submitted and reviewed by the Financial Aid Office. 

FAFSA Verification 

If you have been selected for FAFSA verification, you are not alone! Verification is a process by which the federal government asks students and their parents for some additional information to check the accuracy of FAFSA information. If you are selected for verification, MTSU must collect the required documentation and complete the verification process with you before any financial aid can be awarded.

If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will receive an email notification sent to your MT email account instructing you to review your missing requirements. Please respond promptly to all requests for information.You cannot be awarded financial aid until the verification process has been completed.

The best action you can take to help finish verification is to use the IRS data retrieval tool to automatically populate your and your parents’ tax information directly from the IRS when you are initially filing or when making corrections to your FAFSA!  
 

The tax return transcript must be requested directly from the IRS by calling 1-800-908-9946 or visiting the IRS website. Be sure to request the tax return transcript, and not the tax account transcript. The student’s MTSU ID number should be included on each page of documents submitted for the verification process. 

How will I know if I have been selected for verification?

It is very important that you check your MT Mail account regularly, and that you periodically log in to your PipelineMT account and check the Financial Aid Requirements & Holds page for any unsatisfied requirements and/or requirement messages. If you are selected for verification you will be notified by email to your MT Mail account. You will be directed to your PipelineMT account to review instructions and a list of the documents that must be submitted before financial aid can be awarded.

 

If selected for verification, what do I need to do? 

Begin by reviewing our document “Completing Verification Requirements”. MTSU may be required to verify any or all of the following data elements on your FAFSA:

  • Adjusted Gross Income for student and parent (if dependent) or spouse (if married)
  • Taxes Paid for student and parent (if dependent) or spouse (if married)
  • Income Earned from Work (for non-tax filers)
  • Certain Untaxed Income items for student and parent (if dependent) or spouse (if married)
  • Household Size
  • Number in College (excluding parents for a dependent student)
  • Receipt of Food Stamps/SNAP Benefit
  • Child Support Paid
  • Any other inconsistent or conflicting information
     

To verify these elements, we may ask for the following documents; however, this is not a complete list. Specific documents requested will be based on your individual case.

  • Copies of the specified year tax transcripts for student and parent (if dependent) or spouse (if married) **See Important Note below
  • A Verification Worksheet (downloadable from this web site)
  • W-2s showing wages for student and parent (if dependent) or spouse (if married)
  • Statement of child support paid and child support received
  • Verification of net worth
  • Documentation of Food Stamps/SNAP Benefit
  • Once verification begins, we may need to ask for additional documentation based on the documentation submitted.

If you are selected for verification, the notification you receive via MT email will direct you to your PipelineMT account to review instructions and a list of the documents that must be submitted before financial aid can be awarded. In general, your requirements may include all or many of the following. However, this is not a complete list, and your individual case may require that we request additional documents to meet all federal requirements.

Data Verification Worksheet: The verification process will begin with filing the correct Verification Worksheet for Dependent or Independent Students. Dependent or Independent status is as defined by the FAFSA.

IRS Data Retrieval Tool:  If you have used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when filing your FAFSA, you will usually not have to submit tax transcripts from the IRS if selected for verification. Most students selected for verification will be able to complete the majority of their requirements by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

You may use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if the federal tax return(s) have been filed, if you have a valid social security number, and if you have a FAFSA PIN number. You cannot use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if your marital status changed as of December 31; if you are married, but filed separate tax returns or filed as Head of Household; or if you filed an amended return. If you filed an amended return, you must submit a signed copy of all pages of the original tax return and W-2 forms or a Tax Return Transcript, and a signed copy of the IRS 1040X form.

 

Tax Transcript from the IRS:  If you do not, or cannot, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you must submit the tax transcript from the IRS. Students and parents can request a paper copy of their tax return transcript or obtain an online PDF copy of their tax return transcript, wage and income transcripts, and verification of non-filing letter through the IRS website. A tax transcript may also be requested at 1-800-908-9946. 

Didn’t file taxes? If you (spouse, if applicable) and/or your parents have not and are not required to file a tax return, you will be required to confirm and document this information on the requested form. The income earned from work must also be documented by listing each employer and submitting copies of all W-2s received during the calendar year being verified.  If a W-2 is not available, submit a signed statement (preferably on letterhead) from the employer verifying the earnings and explaining the absence of the W-2.  Parents and independent students are required to also submit a Verification of Non-filing Letter obtained from the IRS.

Verification Impact to TELS Awards:  If you have been selected for verification and are eligible to receive the Tennessee Hope Lottery Scholarship (and Merit Supplement, if eligible), starting in mid July prior to the start of the Fall semester, we will automatically review and award your Lottery Scholarship(s) depending on your eligiblity. Please note that you will not be eligible for any other types of aid until verification has been completed, this does include;  the Tennessee Aspire Lottery Scholarship and Tennessee Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship. Once verification has been completed, we will complete the review and award you the Tennessee ASPIRE Lottery Scholarship or Tennessee Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship if eligible.

Professional Judgment / Special Cases

When a student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it asks a set of general questions as well as very specific questions in regard to personal, biographical, and financial information.  Unfortunately, we know that life happens and there is no place to indicate on the FAFSA that something has changed. For this reason, financial aid administrators are given the authority to make professional judgment decisions to account for these extenuating circumstances.

There are two categories of professional judgments and one other special situation.

  1. The first category is called a Special Circumstance. This is when the family has experienced a financial situation that justifies an adjustment to FAFSA data that affects the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation or data elements in the Financial Aid Cost of Attendance.   For example, since the FAFSA is based on prior-prior year income, families may experience a significant loss of income in the following year due to an extenuating circumstance.
  2. The second category is called an Unusual Circumstance.  An Unusual Circumstance is specifically for students that are unable to include parental information on the FAFSA due to parental abuse, neglect, abandonment, incarceration, or institutionalization. This circumstance allows financial aid administrators to update a student’s dependency status based on explained and documentable circumstances. It is more commonly referred to as a dependency override.
  3. The other special situation is Homeless Determination. A Homeless Determination is when a student is unaccompanied, lacks fixed housing, or is in imminent risk of being homeless, like due to eviction. These decisions are made by authorized personnel, like the MT One Stop Outreach Coordinator or a school district homeless liaison. Once a determination is made the financial aid administrator can update a student’s status within the FAFSA.

More information and how to apply for one of these circumstances can be found by clicking on the categories below:


 

Special Circumstances

FAFSA Ajustments used to Calculate EFC

A student’s initial financial aid eligibility is based on prior, prior year tax return information, untaxed income, asset amounts, and household information that was provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While most families might not experience a great deal of change from year to year, this of course is not the case for all families. If there have been extenuating circumstances that have caused a significant difference in household income, the Special Circumstance process allows financial aid administrators to update a student’s financial aid eligibility based on these documentable extenuating circumstances. 

Here are a few examples of common requests that we will and won't consider.  

Will Consider Won't Consider
 Loss or change of employment  General fluctuations in yearly income
 Death of Parent/Spouse  Standard living expenses or standard maintenance on homes
 Unusual out-of-pocket, paid medical expenses   Credit card or other personal debts
 Loss or change in amount of child support  Car payments
 Loss or change in amount of Social Security  Mortage payments
 Loss or change in amount of other taxable benefits   Vacation, tithing expenses, or gambling winning/losses

 

How to request a Special Circumstance review:

 

Submit a Special Circumstance Form
  • If the parent income on the FAFSA has changed, complete the Parent Special Circumstance Form. A student will need to initiate the form first, after which the parent will receive an email with a link to the form initiated by the student.
  • If the student and/or spouse income on the FAFSA has changed, complete the Student Special Circumstance Form.
  • The Special Circumstance Forms can be found under the Verification forms section on the Financial Aid Forms page.  

Note:  MTSU uses a dynamic form software that allows the student and parent to complete and sign electronically.  Students sign in using their MTSU login information.  Parents will receive an email that allows them to create an account the first time they complete a form.  The parent can use the same account to complete MTSU financial aid forms for multiple children.

Here is what to expect:

 

  • Based on your reason(s) for the special circumstance, the online application will walk you through questions to collect information and to narrow down the type of documentation that should be submitted.

 Helpful Hints:

 

  • Be detailed in your explanation on the form.
  • Upload your supporting documentation when you submit the form.
  • Never submit original documents that you may want back. Paper documents are scanned and then shredded.

The more information provided in your explanation and submitting all requested documentation up front & at the same time will speed up the timeframe in which you will receive a decision!

However, if you need to send in documentation later, you should submit it using the MT One Stop Drop Box located in the right-hand section on their website at https://mtsu.edu/one-stop/index.php.  Do NOT email or fax documents that includes Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

 

  • After the form and documentation is received, a financial aid administrator will initially review your request. Because MTSU must be able to justify any adjustments it makes to the FAFSA, the MTSU Financial Aid Office will require official documentation and may put your request on hold until official tax records and other documents can be provided before a decision is made.
  • If additional clarification or documentation is needed, the student will be notified by campus email or through messaging in PipelineMT. A decision cannot be made until ALL required documentation is received. 
  • Generally, if the loss of income occurred in the prior year, it takes approximately 2 weeks from the time ALL required documentation has been submitted to receive a decision.  However, if your request is submitted for the Fall semester and the loss of income occurred in the current tax year, then you will most likely be required to submit a completed tax return for that year.  In this case, if aid eligibility changes based on adjustments from actual income earned once you file an official tax return at the end of January/first of February, you may be retroactively paid for completed courses from the Fall semester.

Even though your loss of income may reduce your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), it may not change your eligibility for financial aid. In these cases, the student will be notified that the request has been reviewed but not processed since it would not change aid eligibility.

The decision of the financial aid administrator is final. Federal statute does not give the Department of Education the authority to override the administrator’s decision.

 

Cost of Attendance Adjustments

A student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) or budget is an estimate of the student's educational expenses for a period of enrollment. It includes average expenses that a student may have while attending school.  It is NOT the amount that a student will owe to MTSU.

The COA is based on a student's enrollment status, undergraduate/graduate level, in-state/out-of-state residency, and where a student lives.  It is important to remember that this is an estimate and that all expenses are not billed items. Transportation, for example, would include cost for gas to drive to campus, but this is not a billed item to MTSU.

The COA is used by the Financial Aid Office to determine "need" for specified programs and the maximum amount of aid a student can receive.  You can view various full-time COAs and related components at https://mtsu.edu/tuition/cost-of-attendance.php. 

All undergraduate students will have their COA set to full-time enrollment status initially but it will be reduced if the student is enrolled in less than full time credit hours at the beginning of the semester. Because graduate students typically enroll for half-time status, all graduate students will have their initial COA set to half-time and will be later adjusted if enrolled greater than half-time. 

The COA includes the following average expenses:

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Books & Supplies
  • Living Expenses (Food & Housing)
  • Transportation
  • Miscellaneous Expenses

Students may request an increase to their COA by submitting a formal appeal. Typically, increases to a COA can only be approved if it meets an educational requirement. If approved, the adjustment will increase the ceiling on the maximum amount of aid a student can receive. Often, this allows for the borrowing of additional loan funds which are subject to annual/aggregate loan limits and/or credit approval.

When applicable, COA increases are typically determined after an expense has incurred.  Students may wish to contact the MT One Stop in advance to determine if a cost could be approved prior to incurring that cost. A receipt or proof of purchase is required prior to making any increase to a student’s COA.

Below are examples of allowable expenses for which an increase to the Financial Aid Cost of Attendance may be appealed:

  • Commuting Expenses
    Students who commute a significant distance for enrolled class(s) may potentially be eligible for a COA increase.  A student must provide documentation using a recognized mapping website of roundtrip mileage to and from MTSU, or similar documentation of such costs. Also, students can request an increase due to additional expenses commuting from home to/from work with documented proof of employment. Purchase of a vehicle, auto loan payments, insurance, license, registration, and general car maintenance cannot be considered.
  • Computer Expenses
    Federal regulations permit the MTSU Financial Aid Office to consider the cost to purchase a computer when calculating a student’s COA. Allowable expenses include the purchase cost of a computer, printer, and other necessary software. A maximum of $1,200 in computer expenses will be considered once per degree level.  If certain computer specifications are REQUIRED by the program of study, actual amount may be used upon documentation from the department.  The equipment must be purchased in advance and appropriate documentation provided before the increase in COA and eligibility for assistance can be considered.
  • Dependent Care Expenses
    In calculating a student’s COA, federal regulations allow for the inclusion of dependent day care expenses based on costs incurred for dependent care. The period of time for which the dependent care expenses are incurred must be within the semester in question. The dependent must have been included in the student’s number in household on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Details must include child/children’s name, date of enrollment, cost per child, hours and frequency. If daycare is not a licensed daycare, documentation of paid receipts must be provided.
  • Disability-Related Expenses
    Students with disability-related expenses may request a COA increase for equipment or special services needed to aid directly in their educational learning that is not provided by other assisting agencies. This allowance can include, but is not limited to, special services, personal assistance, transportation or equipment and supplies.  Some examples include mobile scooters for a student who has a doctor’s note explaining why he/she cannot easily move around campus, hiring a reader or needing to purchase additional reading equipment for a legally blind student. Documentation of actual expenses may be necessary. 
  • Professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential
     This cost must be incurred during a period of enrollment even if the exam is scheduled to be taken after the semester has ended.  The cost of test preparation courses cannot be included in a student’s COA.
  • Equipment and Supplies
    A student can request a COA increase for additional course fees beyond the standard course fees.  This includes, but is not limited to, items needed for thesis or senior projects.  The student must submit a detailed explanation and proof of program costs, such as a letter from their professor or the syllabus that outlines the requirement of the additional costs.  The student must provide receipts as proof of payment for items directly related to their program.   Other examples may include additional educational expenses such as scientific calculators, art supplies, software, nursing supplies, etc. Please contact the MT One Stop for inquires on if a COA increase is applicable for a specific expense before making any purchases.  
  • Study Abroad
    Additional study abroad costs may be taken into consideration for approved courses of study when determining financial aid eligibility. Charges that exceed the existing estimated COA can be considered. For more information about this please contact the MTSU Financial Aid Office at fin_aid@mtsu.edu.

Example items NOT eligible for COA increases:

  • Auto purchase or payments
  • Auto repairs and routine maintenance
  • Credit card or other consumer debt payments
  • Moving expenses and security deposits
  • Costs incurred outside of the current academic year
  • Child support and other such child care expenses (other than daycare)
  • Legal fees, bail, traffic tickets, parking tickets, or fines
  • Veterinary costs, unless for a service animal

Students may submit a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request to the Office of Student Financial Aid by:

  • Submiting the COA Adjustment Request Form to initiate an appeal for a Cost of Attendance Adjustment review.
  • Please allow between 7 to 10 business days for this appeal to be reviewed. 

 

 

Unusual Circumstances (commonly referred to as Dependency Override)

A student’s dependency status is initially determined by the answers provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most traditional students are considered dependent and must include the biographical and financial information of their parents on the FAFSA.

If you are considered a dependent student but feel you have unusual circumstances that prevent you from providing parental information on the FAFSA, an Unusual Circumstance request may be applicable to you. The approval of this process allows students to be considered Independent based on their specific unusual circumstances. To complete this process, students must submit the Unusual Circumstances Request Form and provide any relevant information and documentation. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Here are some examples of unusual circumstances that will and won't be considered towards a dependency override. 

Will Consider  Won't Consider
 Parental Abuse  Parents refuse to help pay for student's education
 Parental abandonment or neglect   Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification
 Parental drug abuse  Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
 Parental incarceration  Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency

 

Dependent students without parent support:

If your parent refuses to complete the FAFSA or your parents do not and will not provide any financial support, you do not qualify for a dependency override. But, you may be eligibile to receive a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan at the dependent level. You must submit a Petition for Direct Unsubsidized Loan (Parent refuses to complete FAFSA) form. 

How to request an Unusual Circumstance review:

 

After you complete the FAFSA without parental information, then you may submit an Unusual Circumstance Request Form. 

 2023-2024 Aid Year  Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024    Unusual Circumstance Form

 

Here is what to expect:

  • Based on your reason for the unusual circumstance, the online application will walk you through questions to collect information and to narrow down the type of documentation that should be submitted.

 Helpful Hints:

 

  • Be detailed in your explanation on the form.
  • Upload your supporting documentation when you submit the form.
  • Never submit original documents that you may want back. Paper documents are scanned and then shredded.

The more information provided in your explanation and submitting all requested documentation up front & at the same time will speed up the timeframe in which you will receive a decision!

However, if you need to send in documentation later, you should submit it using the MT One Stop Drop Box located in the right-hand section on their website at https://mtsu.edu/one-stop/index.php.  Do NOT email or fax documents that includes Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • After the form and documentation is received, a financial aid administrator will initially review your request. MTSU must be able to justify any adjustments it makes to the FAFSA. The MTSU Financial Aid Office will require official documentation.
  • If additional clarification or documentation is needed, the student will be notified by campus email or through messaging in PipelineMT.
  • An Unusual Circumstance Request will be reviewed and given a decision (whether approved or denied) within a federally required timeline of 60 days from the date the request was submitted. It is strongly encouraged to promptly submit ALL documentation requested on the form or once additional documentation is requested. Documentation not received by the federally required deadline will be denied.  A student that is denied because of this timing requirement can complete a new request to resume the process where they left off.

The decision of the financial aid administrator is final. The federal statute does not give the Department of Education the authority to override the administrator’s decision.

Other Special Cases (not considered Professional Judgment)

Unaccomapanied Homeless Youth


Another circumstance that is taken into consideration when you are completing the FAFSA is if you are:

  • an unaccompanied youth (i.e., not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) AND
  • who is homeless (i.e., lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing) OR
  • is self-supporting and at risk of being homeless (for example, when you pay for your own living expenses and you are being evicted and unable to find fixed, regular, and adequate housing). 

If you can answer ‘Yes’ to one of the following FAFSA questions for the applicable award year, then you are automatically considered ‘Independent’ and parental information will not be required on the FAFSA:

  • Did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
  • Did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
  • Did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

However, if you do not have a homeless determination by one of the entities above, you have the option to request the Financial Aid Office to determine if you are an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless. 

How do I request to be considered as an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

 

To begin this process, you can submit a request for Homeless Determination by completing the Homeless Verification Form found at https://mtsu.edu/nextstep/. If you aren’t sure if your status will qualify email MTOneStop@mtsu.edu and request a meeting with the Outreach Coordinator who oversees the Next Step Program at MTSU.

The Next Step Program at MTSU assists students who are aging out of foster care or may be experiencing issues with homelessness.  The Outreach Coordinator works with this population to assist with their core needs as well as helping them navigate higher education at MTSU.

Instead of requiring you to disclose personal information to the Outreach Coordinator and then again to a Financial Aid Administrator, you will work primarily with the Outreach Coordinator who submits a recommendation with all collected documentation to the Financial Aid Office.  A Financial Aid Administrator reviews the information and determines if your FAFSA application can be processed as an Independent student.

A Homeless Verification Request must be reviewed and given a decision (whether approved or denied) within a federally required timeline of 60 days from the date the request was submitted. It is strongly encouraged to promptly submit ALL documentation requested on the form or once additional documentation is requested. Documentation not received by the federally required deadline will be denied.  A student that is denied because of this timing requirement can complete a new request to resume the process where they left off.  

**If you are already an Independent student for FAFSA purposes, you are still strongly encouraged to email NextStep@mtsu.edu and get connected with the Outreach Coordinator.**  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 








I need additional assistance!

We know that filing the FAFSA or being selected for verification can be stressful and time consuming as you work to gather and submit all the required documentation. If you need help with questions or in navigating the process, please contact the MT One Stop.