STEP 3 The Verification Process

Because students sometimes make errors on their FAFSAs, the federal government has a process called "verification". The Seminary's Financial Aid Office will notify the students in writing if they are selected and advise of the required documentation. 

Master's Program Institutional Need-Based Aid

All master's-degree seeking students applying for PTS grants are verified. The PTS Financial Aid Application contains the information for the verification process. Copies of the student’s (and spouse’s) W2s must be submitted by all students. If applicable, students need to submit documentation of Food Stamps, Social Security, Child Support Paid or Received. Students must submit a signed copy of a Puerto Rico, US Territory of foreign income tax form. 

Master's Program Federal Loans Only

For students who have not applied for institutional aid but are applying for federal loans are not automatically verified. PTS only verifies the FAFSAs that are selected for verification by the federal government's Central Processing System. The PTS Financial Aid Office will mail instructions to those students who have been selected. 

Doctoral Program Institutional Aid

For Doctor of Ministry students, PTS only verifies the FAFSAs that are selected for verification by the federal government's Central Processing System. The PTS Financial Aid Office will mail instructions to those students who have been selected. 

IDR vs Tax Transcript

All students are urged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IDR) when completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA will prompt the student if he/she chooses to link into the IRS site. The IRS will then provide the opportunity for the student  to download the tax information directly into the FAFSA. 

Students who choose NOT to use the IDR, and are selected for verification, will have to contact the IRS for the Tax Transcript. A signed Tax Transcript can be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. A copy of the Federal Income Tax Form will NOT be accepted by the Financial Aid Office.

Verification 

If the school makes corrections to the FAFSA, the student will receive a new Student Aid Report (SAR).

If the school has conflicting information concerning the student's eligibility or the Financial Aid Officer has any reason to believe that the student's application information is incorrect, the discrepancies must be resolved before any institutional or federal funds can be disbursed.

Step 4