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 aid from WSU and from federal and state government sources, students must be classified either as U.S. citizens or as eligible non-citizens. Students are considered to be eligible non-citizens for financial aid purposes if one of the following conditions applies:
- U.S. permanent resident with an Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551.
- Other eligible non-citizen with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) showing any one of the following designations: (a) "Refugee," (b) "Indefinite Parole," (c) "Humanitarian Parole," (d) "Asylum Granted," or (e) "Cuban-Haitian Entrant."
Students who are not U.S. citizens are subject to different regulations which may require supporting documentation, depending upon the type of financial aid sought. You will be contacted by the OSFA if this applies to you. U.S. citizens may also be required to document their citizenship status if the Department of Homeland Security could not confirm it.
Click here for the Citizenship Status Confirmation Form.
Social Security Number Match
The federal government will confirm that the social security number on your FAFSA application matches other data in their files. Students whose records do not match will be required to verify their social security number. If you have changed your name you must notify the Social Security Administration before financial aid can be disbursed. See their website for more information: www.ssa.gov. Parents of dependent students are subjected 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 web site for more information: www.sss.gov
Click here for the Selective Service Confirmation Form.
Veteran Status
Students who are considered a "qualifying" veteran with the Veteran's Administration Office are considered an independent student for the purpose of completing the FAFSA. "Qualifying" veteran's can not have a character of service listed as "dishonorable" from the military. If the Veteran's Administration Office cannot confirm a students status, OSFA will notify the student to submit a copy of their military separation form (DD214). See their 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. Students cannot receive financial aid if they 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 OSFA if this applies to you with instructions on what documentation is required to resolve this matter. See their website for more information: www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/.