Verification Form Instructions – Dependent Students
For those families requiring additional clarification on what is needed to complete the
Verification process, please refer first to the FAFSA filing instructions. The Verification process
is used to confirm information reported on the FAFSA. Therefore, all questions asked are based
on the information that was to be reported on the FAFSA and all definitions that apply to the
FAFSA apply also to the Verification forms. Complete only the Verification form required based
on the code on your SAR. Your financial aid advisor can assist you in determining which form
applies to you. Do not email any document with personally identifiable information unless the
email is encrypted. Instructions for the student questions are provided separately. Documents
may be completed/uploaded through the Student Portal. If you have any questions, please
contact the Financial Aid Office:
E-mail: financialaid@mji.edu
US Office:
Israel office:
Phone: 248-414-6900 Ext 102
Phone: 972-2-547-8000 Ext 300 or 248-525-6833 Ext 300
Fax: 248-414-6907
Fax: 077-470-3893
If faxing, ensure your name and MJI ID are on all pages. If emailing, do not include any
personally identifiable information without encryption. You may also upload and/or complete
documents through the Student Portal.
Note: The institution may require additional information if we have reason to believe any
information reported on the FAFSA or the Verification forms is not accurate or if additional
clarification is required.
Verification of 2013 Income Information for Earned Income
These instructions apply to Section 1 on V1, V5 and V6 forms
Important Note: The instructions below apply to each parent included in the household. Notify
the financial aid office if the parents filed separate IRS income tax returns for 2013 or had a
change in marital status after the end of the 2013 tax year on December 31, 2013. If either of
your parents is not a US citizen or US resident and they did not file a joint US tax return, he/she
may be required to provide a statement declaring that he/she is not a US citizen/resident.
Instructions:
Question 1: The students and parents of students selected for V1, V5 or V6 categories must
reply to the questions in Section 1, #1. If the student or parents filed or will file a 2013 IRS
income tax return(s), some data from the tax return must be verified. If the student or parents had
earned income but were not required to file a U.S. tax return, the earned income must be
confirmed. If the students or parents did not file, question 3 must also be completed. If it appears
that a return should have been filed by anyone whose data is included on the FAFSA, that person
will be required to submit a “Verification of Nonfiling” from the IRS to validate that a return
was not filed. This IRS statement does not confirm whether or not a return is required; it
confirms only that one was not filed. For non filers, the IRS Verification of Nonfiling form
cannot be accepted if signed prior to June 15, 2014.
Question 2: The best way to verify income for tax filers is by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
(IRS DRT) that is part of FAFSA on the Web at FAFSA.ED.GOV. In most cases, no further
documentation is needed to verify 2013 income information that was transferred into the
student’s FAFSA using the IRS DRT if that information was not changed. If you did not utilize
the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when the ISIR was filed, you may do a FAFSA correction to utilize
it. In most cases, for electronic tax return filers, 2013 IRS income tax return information for the
IRS DRT is available within 2–3 weeks after the 2013 electronic IRS income tax return has been
accepted by the IRS. Generally, for filers of 2013 paper IRS income tax returns, the 2013 IRS
income tax return information is available for the IRS DRT within 8–11 weeks after the 2013
paper IRS income tax return has been received by the IRS.
To obtain a 2013 IRS Tax Return Transcript, go to www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript and
click on the “Get Transcript ONLINE” link. Be sure to request the “IRS Tax Return Transcript”
and not the “IRS Tax Account Transcript.” Use the Social Security Number (or the IRS
individual taxpayer identification number) and the date of birth of the first person listed on the
2013 IRS income tax return, and the address on file with the IRS (normally this will be the
address used on the 2013 IRS income tax return). If the parents filed separate 2013 IRS income
tax returns, 2013 IRS Tax Return Transcripts must be provided for both. Contact the financial
aid office if more information is needed about using the IRS DRT. See also “Use of DRT and
Tax Return Transcript Requests” for additional information about requesting a tax transcript.
Because of the new 'Get Transcript Online' tool, the IRS will no longer handle requests for
transcripts at its Taxpayers Assistance Centers or by phone, except for the IRS automated phone
tool at 1-800-908-9946. Tax filers who are unable to use the 'Get Transcript Online' tool will still
be able to submit a transcript request online by using the online 'Get Transcript by Mail' option,
or by using the IRS2GO mobile app, the automated phone tool at 1-800-908-9946, or by
submitting a paper Form 4506 or 4506-T. However, all of these request methods will result in the
IRS mailing a paper transcript to the tax filer. And, only in the case of requests made using paper
can the tax filer identify a third party to receive the transcript. From outside of the US call 267941-1000.
Question 3: If the student or parents did not file a tax return, complete Section 1, #3. If income
was earned, fill in the information in the spaces provided. Provide the W2 or other
documentation from the employer. If a tax return should have been filed but was not filed, a
return must be filed before Title IV aid can be disbursed (unless an extension has been
requested). People who are self employed are generally required to file taxes if earnings are at
least $400. Refer to www.IRS.GOV for a complete explanation of filing requirements. If no
income was earned, enter “NA” in all boxes in Section 1, #3.
Note: We are not U.S tax experts. If you have specific questions regarding your obligation to
file tax returns, your filing status etc., please consult with a U.S. tax professional. The table
below is provided on the IRS website as general reference, as noted it does not cover all tax
filing requirements:
Table 1.2013 Filing Requirements Chart for Most Taxpayers (see IRS Publication 17, page 5)
IF your filing status
is….
AND at the end of 2013 you
were...
THEN file a return if your gross income was
at least...
single
under 65
$10,000
65 or older
$11,500
under 65 (both spouses)
$20,000
65 or older (one spouse)
$21,200
65 or older (both spouses)
$22,400
married filing separately
any age
$ 3,900
head of household
under 65
$12,850
65 or older
$14,350
under 65
$16,100
65 or older
$17,300
married filing jointly
qualifying widow(er)
with
dependent child
* If you were born before January 2, 1949, you are considered to be 65 or older at the end of 2013.
** Gross income means all income you receive in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax, including any
income from sources outside the United States or from the sale of your main home (even if you can exclude part or all of it). Do not include any
social security benefits unless (a) you are married filing a separate return and you lived with your spouse at any time during 2013 or (b) one-half
of your social security benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest is more than $25,000 ($32,000 if married filing jointly).
If (a) or (b) applies, see the Form 1040 instructions to figure the taxable part of social security benefits you must include in gross income. Gross
income includes gains, but not losses, reported on Form 8949 or Schedule D. Gross income from a business means, for example, the amount on
Schedule C, line 7, or Schedule F, line 9. But in figuring gross income, do not reduce your income by any losses, including any loss on Schedule
C, line 7, or Schedule F, line 9.
*** If you did not live with your spouse at the end of 2013 (or on the date your spouse died) and your gross income was at least $3,900, you must
file a return regardless of your age.
U.S. Citizens or Resident Aliens Living Abroad
To determine whether you must file a return, include in your gross income any income you
earned or received abroad, including any income you can exclude under the foreign earned
income exclusion. For more information on special tax rules that may apply to you, see
Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad.
Not certain if you should file? Please refer to the following links to the IRS website:
o
Do You Need to File a Federal Income Tax Return?
o
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad - Filing Requirements
o
U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad
Verification Form Instructions – Dependent Students (cont.)
Number of Household Members and Number in College
These instructions apply to Section 2 on V1, V5 and V6 forms
Number of Household Members: List below the people in the parents’ household. Include:
 The student.
 The parents (including a stepparent) even if the student doesn’t live with the parents.
 The parents’ other children if the parents will provide more than half of the children’s
support from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, or if the other children would be
required to provide parental information if they were completing a FAFSA for 2014–
2015. Include children who meet either of these standards even if the children do not live
with the parents.
 Other people if they now live with the parents and the parents provide more than half of
the other people’s support and will continue to provide more than half of their support
through June 30, 2015.
Do not include:
 People who live with you for whom you do not provide more than half of their support.
This includes roommates and guests.
 Children who do not live with you for whom you will be reporting child support paid in
Section 3.
 Children for whom you do not provide more than half of their support.
Number in College: Include information about any household member, excluding the parents,
who will be enrolled at least half time in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at an eligible
postsecondary educational institution any time between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, include
the name of the college. Note: We may require additional documentation if we have reason to
believe that the information regarding the household members enrolled in eligible postsecondary
educational institutions is inaccurate or if we believe the institution listed is not an eligible
institution.
Do not include the school name if:
 It is not a Title IV post secondary institution. (Generally, no one under the age of 17
attends a postsecondary institution).
 The family member is not attending at least half time in a degree, diploma or certificate
program.
 Do not include the institutions for parents even if they otherwise would meet the
requirements.
Verification Form Instructions – Dependent Students (cont.)
Child Support Paid and Receipt of SNAP Benefits
(Dependent Students)
These instructions apply to Sections 3 and 4 on V1, V4, V5 and V6 forms
Section 3 - Child Support Paid Verification: Support paid for children who are included in
Section 1are not to also be reported in this section.
If you or your parents paid child support during 2013 for children not included in the household
size on the FAFSA (Section 1 of the V1, V5 or V6 forms), complete Section 3.
If you or your parents did not pay child support during 2013 for children not included in the
household size on the FAFSA (Section 1 of the V1, V5 or V6 forms), write in “NA” in Section 3.
Section 4 - Receipt of SNAP Benefits
One box must be checked. Indicate whether or not a member of the parents’ household received
benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as the
Food Stamp Program) sometime during 2012 or 2013. SNAP may be known by another name in
some states. For assistance in determining the name used in a state, please call 1-800-4FED-AID
(1-800-433-3243).
Note: If we have reason to believe that the information regarding the receipt of SNAP benefits is
inaccurate, we may require documentation from the agency that issued the SNAP benefits in
2012 or 2013.
Verification Form Instructions – Dependent Students (cont.)
Verification of 2013 Other Untaxed Income Information for Student Tax Filers
These instructions apply to Sections 5 and 6 on V6 forms
(See also the instructions on the V6 form)
Section 5: See FAFSA instructions and the V6 form for additional information. Families often ask
for clarification on what is included in the “Money Received or Paid on Behalf of Student/Spouse
(Question 45j on FAFSA)”. This applies to the student only, not the parents. List any money
received or paid on the student’s behalf (e.g., payment of student’s bills) and not reported
elsewhere on the FAFSA. Enter the total amount of cash support the student received in 2013.
Include support from a parent whose information was not reported on the student’s 2014–2015
FAFSA, but do not include support from a parent whose information was reported. For example, if
someone is paying rent, utility bills, etc., for the student or gives cash, gift cards, etc., include the
amount of that person's contributions unless the person is the student’s parent whose information is
reported on the student’s 2014–2015 FAFSA. Amounts paid on the student’s behalf also include
any distributions to the student from a 529 plan owned by someone other than the student or the
student’s parents, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles of the student. Money paid directly to the
student from a non custodian parent who is not included on the FAFSA is cash support.
Section 6: Other Sources of Support received by parents or the student (not included on the
FAFSA)
Not all categories of support available to students and their families are reported on the FAFSA.
The institution may need to know about these sources to have a better understanding of the
financial resources available to the family.
Check the box in Section 6 if the student or parents receive extended foster care benefits, student
aid, Earned Income Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
(TANF), untaxed Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Workforce
Investment Act educational benefits (WIA), on-base military housing or a military housing
allowance, combat pay, benefits from flexible spending arrangements (e.g., cafeteria plans),
foreign income exclusion or credit for federal tax on special fuels. Do not include benefits from
any of these categories in Section 5.
You may be asked to explain how you and your family were supported during 2013 if, in the
judgment of the FA staff, the family resources reported on the FAFSA and verification documents
appear insufficient for the number of family members reported. Some families may receive support
that is not in the form of cash. For example, school age family members may receive free or
reduced cost meals through their school. The student may be invited to eat at the homes of friends
or relatives. A family may be allowed to live with others or in a home owned by someone else at
little or no cost.
Note: If asked by the institution and in cases where unusually low income exists, you may be
asked to explain how you and/or your family were financial supported during the 2013
calendar year.