Document Submission Information
Sometimes additional documentation and forms are required to complete your application, this process is called verification. If you have been selected for a process called verification we will request that you submit additional documentation.
These forms are available only through your student portal where you will find instructions describing what you need to do. Complete the forms, attach additional requested information, and provide all necessary signatures before you submit it to us. Incomplete forms will require resubmission and may cause a delay in processing your aid application.
Below are some frequently asked questions about document submission and verification.
What is Verification?
Verification is the process used to confirm that the data reported on your FAFSA is accurate. The Federal Department of Education gives CSUF the authority to contact you for documentation that supports the information you reported.
If you’re selected for verification, don’t assume you’re being accused of doing anything wrong. Students are selected at random or required to verify an element of their application. All you need to do is provide the documentation you are asked for—and be sure to do so by the deadline on your to-do list as you may experience delays in awarding or the payment of financial aid.
What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is the fastest and most secure way that tax filers can link their application to their tax information. You no longer have to look for your personal tax information before completing the FAFSA Application. You also don't have to worry about making mistakes entering your tax information on your FAFSA. This also can waive the request for an IRS Tax Transcript for those selected for verification. Additional information about the IRS DRT and how it works with your FAFSA application can be found here
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What Happens After I Submit My Documents?
Verification documentation & additional requested documentation that is submitted correctly is processed / scanned as “complete”. Upon scanning of all requested verification documentation the student application will then go into review to determine financial aid eligibility. Once a student’s “complete” documentation is scanned, within the week of the scanning the documentation will be off the student’s to-do list.
What Does it mean when My To-Do List Says a Document is Returned?
Verification documentation & additional requested documentation that is submitted incorrectly is processed / scanned as “returned”. For student privacy and security reasons, no incomplete documentation is ever physically returned to the student; the “return” status on the documentation is to signify that submitted documentation is incomplete and will need to be resubmitted correctly. A student’s financial aid eligibility will not be reviewed until all requested documentation is submitted correctly. If a student’s documents are submitted incorrectly then the student will receive a campus email correspondence from our office about the requirement of the resubmission of the requested documentation.
What if I made a Mistake on my Documents?
Documentation determined to be submitted as incorrect will require the student to resubmit requested documentation correctly to the CSUF Office of Financial Aid. When Documentation is submitted incorrectly the student is notified by the CSUF Financial Aid office through their campus email.
When a student has an inquiry as to why their documentation was incorrect, they can seek advisement from the CSUF Financial Aid Office staff in person at University Hall (UH) 146 or by phone staff by calling (657) 278-3125.
HOW DO I SUBMIT DOCUMENTS?
Documentation can be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid in the following ways:
In-Person (please check current in-person hours)
In-person documentation submission to the CSUF Office of Financial Aid at University Hall (GH) 146. This form of submission is preferred as a CSUF Financial Aid Office staff member will date stamp and verify completeness of documentation before fully accepting submitted documentation, this particular form of submission is important in regards to ensuring documentation is submitted before any document deadline dates.
Office Dropbox
The Office of Financial Aid has a secured dropbox that is accessible 24 hours a day and is located outside near the main entrance to our office. If you will be submitting documents in the dropbox make sure you put your ID number on all documents. Securing the documents with a staple or by putting them in an envelope is ideal as all items will remain together ensuring your checklist is cleared efficiently.
by Mail
Documentation received via mail will be date stamped by the date mailed documentation is received by the CSUF Office of Financial Aid. Documentation submitted via mailing will then be verified for completeness by CSUF Financial Aid staff, if documentation is determined to be incomplete the student will be required to resubmit requested documentation. This is important to keep in mind when attempting to submit requested documentation before any document deadlines.
Documentation can be mailed to the following address:
Office of Financial Aid
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6804, GH 146
Fullerton, CA 92834-6804
by Fax
Documentation can be submitted via FAX at (657) 278-7090
If documents submitted via fax are illegible or missing pages, that may delay the review of the student's information. Please allow a minimum of 5 days for the document status to be updated during peak processing times.
New! Secure Document Submission Platform
Our new secure document submission platform allows you to submit your Financial Aid “To-Do List” items faster and more efficient than ever! The secure document submission platform is easily accessible and convenient.
