Verification Information

Point Park Financial Aid Verification Policy

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) requires that Federal Title IV applicants provide documentation to verify the accuracy of the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Federal verification guidelines require that applicants be selected for verification by the Central Processing System (CPS) or by the school.  Point Park University performs verification on all applicants selected by the CPS and any application that the university has reason to believe is incorrect or has conflicting documentation.  Verification is required for applicants for most Federal Student Aid Programs with the exception of students receiving only an unsubsidized federal direct student loan.   If the student’s verification process was waived, it could be the student is only eligible for non-need based aid at Point Park University and fails to complete the verification process.

Policy/Procedures

Federal verification must be completed prior to the end of the semester/term/academic year or before the student ceases enrollment, whichever occurs first.  Financial aid applicants, who fail to comply with verification requirements, including submitting documentation within required timelines, will not have Federal Title IV funds disbursed and may have Federal Title IV funds cancelled.  For Pell Grant eligibility ONLY, verification can be completed up to 120 days after the last day of enrollment.   Point Park University considers the student to be the responsible party for providing information and completing the verification process.

Point Park University identifies the students selected for verification during the financial aid application process by viewing the FAFSA output document called the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR).  The verification activity will initially compare applicant data for accuracy and completeness and continue to resolve conflicting information.

Conflicting Information Policy

A Financial Aid Counselor may choose to require verification of any student that may have reported their initial information incorrectly or finds conflicting information on a student’s ISIR that would affect a student’s eligibility.  Point Park University must resolve the discrepancies before disbursing federal student aid funds and will practice the same timelines as noted in this policy document.

If financial aid was disbursed and a subsequent ISIR transaction was selected for verification or there is conflicting information, further disbursement will be discontinued until verification is completed or resolution of conflicting information is resolved.  Failure of the student to submit requested information will result in the cancellation of federal funds.