Financial Aid Verification

Verification is a process established by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to verify the information provided in a student’s FAFSA and correct any errors. If your application is selected for verification, you must complete the verification process. Failure to complete verification, including submission of requested documentation by the established deadline, may result in delays in receiving aid or loss of aid eligibility. 

Why Verification May Be Required

ED’s FAFSA Processing System selects which applications require verification. If your application is selected, your FAFSA Submission Summary will show an asterisk (*) next to the Student Aid Index and include a comment in the “Application Status” section. You must complete and submit the verification documents requested by Southwestern. 

Southwestern’s Financial Aid Office will then review the documents and complete the verification process before finalizing your financial aid awards. The Financial Aid Office may also request documentation when information is missing, inconsistent, or appears incorrect, or when additional information is needed to resolve a discrepancy or conflicting information. 

Completing the Verification Process

  1. You will receive an email request from the Financial Aid Office with information and documentation needed to complete verification.
  2. Be sure to review and follow the instructions carefully, and only provide the requested documents.
  3. Requested documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or through another method specifically provided by the Financial Aid Office. Do not submit verification documents by email. 
  4. Make sure each document is complete and readable.
  5. Meet the deadline stated in the request. Aid subject to verification generally cannot be disbursed until the required verification process is complete. Late or incomplete documents can delay aid and, in some cases, may prevent you from receiving aid for the year. 

Identity Verification

FAFSA applicants selected for identity verification must have their photo identification (ID) verified by Southwestern. Students must present a valid, unexpired (i.e., the ID is valid on the date it is reviewed, even if it expires later) government-issued photo ID, such as a U.S. passport, driver’s license, or state-issued ID. If identity verification is required, the Financial Aid Office will let you know what options are available to submit your documentation. 

Note: Student IDs and Military IDs (18 U.S.C. § 701 prohibits photocopying military identification) are not sufficient for identity verification.

FAFSA Corrections and Changes to Your Financial Aid

If verification or another review identifies FAFSA information that must be corrected or updated, the Financial Aid Office may submit the correction/update on your behalf based on documentation you provide, or you may be asked to make the change. A correction/update may affect your eligibility for federal financial aid. If your Financial Aid Offer must be adjusted, the Financial Aid Office will notify you and provide an updated Financial Aid Offer.

Corrections After Aid is Disbursed

If a subsequent correction indicates that you received more aid than you were eligible to receive, Southwestern may have to reduce or return ineligible aid, which may result in a balance due on your student account. In such cases, the Financial Aid Office will provide an explanation for the adjustment and any next steps.

Questions?

Contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@swlaw.edu as soon as possible if you need assistance in completing verification, do not understand a request for documentation, or believe you cannot obtain a document by the stated deadline.

Last reviewed: October 2026.