FAFSA Verification 

The federal government requires all institutions of higher education, including UWRF, to examine data from selected students in a process called verification. In this process, financial aid offices are required to check the accuracy of information reported on all selected FAFSAs.
You have three means by which to know if you have been chosen for verification:

1. You are notified on your SAR (Student Aid Report) which you receive promptly via email from the federal system after you submit your FAFSA.
2. You will receive a notification email from the UWRF Financial Aid office once we have your information and you have been accepted at UWRF through the admissions process.
3. Once you can access your To-Do List in eSIS, you can see if you have been selected.
   

You must follow the specific verification instructions and submit all required information to our office before we can complete your financial aid award process.

IRS Data Retrieval Tool
The Federal Government now requires the use of the IRS Data Retrieval tool to transfer your tax information to UW-River Falls.
However, there are the exceptions to why you may not be eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, including:

• Married filing separately (If you or your parents filed as "Married Filing Separately," you need to request a transcript for both filers.)
• Filed an amended tax return
• Applied for filing extensions (If you or your parents applied for a tax filing extension, the verification process cannot be completed until you have filied your taxes.)
• Tax return was too recently filed
  

Click here for an instructional video for the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

If you are unable to submit your tax information via the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, your FAFSA will bypass the option to Link to IRS; instead you must follow the directions below to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript:

IRS Tax Return Transcript
You can request your IRS Tax Return Transcript online or by calling 1-800-908-9946.
You must request the Tax Return Transcript.
If you have filed an amended tax return, you must ALSO request a Tax Account Transcript.

Required data for Tax Return Transcript:

• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Address used on your return

Once you have received your Tax Return Transcript from the IRS, you must submit it along with your completed Verification Worksheet by mailing or bringing it to:

UWRF Financial Aid Office
315 North Hall
410 S. 3rd Street
River Falls, WI 54022

You may also submit your completed information by fax: 715-425-0708.

Remember: You cannot be awarded financial aid until your verification process is completed.