FAFSA Matching Information
When you apply for financial aid by filing the FAFSA, some of your application information is verified with federal agencies.
This includes the Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, Selective Service, Veteran's Administration and the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS.) If the information does not match, the discrepancy must be resolved before you can receive federal student aid.
Citizenship Match
To be eligible for federal, state, and WSU institutional funds you must be classified as either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. You are considered to be an eligible non-citizen for financial aid purposes if you meet one of the following conditions:
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A permanent U.S. resident with a Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
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A conditional permanent resident (I-551C)
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The holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations: “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Parolee” (I-94 confirms that you were paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired), T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.) or “Cuban-Haitian Entrant.”
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The holder of a valid certification or eligibility letter from the Department of Health and Human Services showing a designation of “Victim of human trafficking.”
Students who are not U.S. citizens are subject to different regulations that may require the submission of citizenship documentation.
Click here for the Citizenship Status Verification Form.
Do not delay submitting your documents as processing can take 6-8 weeks.
Social Security Number Match
The federal government will confirm that the social security number on your FAFSA application matches other data in their files. If your records do not match, you will be required to verify your social security number. If you have changed your name, you must notify the Social Security Administration before financial aid can be disbursed.
See the Social Security Administration website for more information: www.ssa.gov. Parents of dependent students are subject to the same match requirements. Parents whose records do not match will be required to verify their social security number.
Click here for the Social Security Number Match Confirmation Form.
Selective Service Registration
Males born on or after January 1, 1960 must register with Selective Service to qualify for federal aid. The federal government may require students to verify registration. Financial aid cannot be provided without such verification. See the Selective Service website for more information: www.sss.gov
Click here for the Selective Service Verification Form.
Do not delay submitting your documents as processing can take 6-8 weeks.
Veteran Status
Students who are considered a "qualifying" veteran with the Veteran's Administration Office are considered an independent student for the completing the FAFSA. "Qualifying" veterans cannot have a character of service listed as "dishonorable" from the military. If the Veteran's Administration Office cannot confirm your status, we will notify you to submit a copy of your military separation form (DD214). See the VA website for more information: www.va.gov.
Click here for the Veteran Status Confirmation form.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
Financial aid application data is also checked with the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to verify that you are not in default on a federal student loan, have not received an overpayment on a federal grant, and have not borrowed more than the total or aggregate limit allowed.
You cannot receive financial aid if you have an unresolved defaulted federal student loan, grant overpayments, or have borrowed more than the total or aggregate limit in federal loans. You will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office with instructions about the documentation that is required to resolve this matter.
See the NSLDS website for more information: www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/.