Electronic submission (requires login to the Populi student portal and electronic submission

2025-26 Request for Consideration of Special Circumstances (requires Populi student portal login)

Download and complete; submit via Populi portal along with required documentation (follow instructions on form)

2025-26 Federal Verification (standard)

2025-26 Federal Verification Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose

Last Updated: June 2025

What does it mean to be selected for verification?

Verification is a process to confirm that the information you and your parents provided on your Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accurate. The Department of Education selects FAFSAs for verification. Others may be selected by schools to clarify information. If selected, a student cannot receive the financial aid that has been awarded until verification is completed. If selected, any award information disclosed to the student about their eligibility is considered tentative until verification is completed.

What do I have to do if I have been selected for verification?

The Financial Aid Office will request certain documentation from you to verify that the information you provided on your FAFSA is correct. A key aspect of completing verification is confirming that the income tax information provided on the FAFSA matches the income tax information on record with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To do this, a family must either collect and submit an IRS Tax Return Transcript or submit their income tax information on the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

What is a tax return transcript and how can I get it?

A tax return transcript is a line-by-line accounting of your tax return as it was originally filed with the IRS. Any schedules or additional forms filed will also be in the tax return transcript. This can only be obtained through the IRS and is used as verification that your tax information on your FAFSA matches what is on file with the IRS. Access it online and order the “return” transcript.

What else might be required for verification?

There is verification worksheet that must be completed and signed by the student (and parent if the student is a dependent). If either party received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits during the prior tax year, then documentation of that person’s eligibility must also be included. Other documents may be required depending on the student’s application. The Financial Aid Office will notify the student about what is required to complete their application for verification.

• Make sure you sign up for a FSA User ID before you begin. Here are sign-up instructions.
• Starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA, each contributor must have his or her own FSA ID.  A contributor is defined for this purpose by the Federal Student Aid Programs as :
  • anyone (student, the student's spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or the parent's spouse) who's required to provide information on the FAFSA form
• Complete the FAFSA to apply for state and federal aid programs.
• Be sure to list the CCMS school code (also called the OPE ID or Title IV School Code) on your FAFSA: 010906
• You must file a FAFSA each year to be considered for college financial aid.

Once your application has been received, the Office of Student Financial Aid may ask you to submit additional documents if you’re selected for verification information. Check your CCMS email account often, and make sure to submit any additional documents as quickly as possible.

Please note:   If you have had a change in circumstances since the end of the 2022 tax year, you may submit a 2024-25 Financial Aid Request for Consideration of Special Circumstances form here:   Click here   You must be sure to read the form entirely and submit all required documentation and explanations at the time of your request.  Incomplete requests cannot be processed.

CCMS awards aid for two-semester award years starting with the student's term of entry.  For example, a Bachelor of Mortuary Science (B.M.S.) student starting in Fall 2024 would file the 2024-2025 FAFSA for aid awards for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.  This same student would need to submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA for aid awards for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025.  Another example would be an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Mortuary Science student starting in Spring 2025; this student would need to file the 2024-2025 FAFSA for awards in Spring 2025 and Summer 2025.  For Fall 2025, the AAS student would need to file the 2025-2026 FAFSA.