Hello All,

I, too, wonder why Maine colleges require verification when the Feds do
not. I am surprised at how many are pulled for this process, and it can be
a confusing process as you know.

On Wed, Apr 6, 2016 at 2:26 PM, Karen Keim <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> We teach our students about verification because nearly all of them are
> selected for verification.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Apr 6, 2016, at 1:10 PM, Mila Tappan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I might be in the process of stirring up a dust storm and want to check
> with all of you to get your feedback before going further.
> >
> > When students complete the FAFSA, many of our low-income students are
> eligible for "Auto-Zero" formula (parent income less than $25,000 and meet
> one of three other criteria).  When doing a FAFSA with a student, you will
> find that after the parent income information is entered, the screen
> updates and there is a question that appears that says, "Do you want to
> skip the remaining questions about your and your parents income and
> assets?"  So long as the parents' income isn't bumping up against the
> $25,000 cut off, I let students know that it is okay to skip those
> questions.  The reality is, even if the information is provided it is
> excluded from the formula.  My thought has always been why have them
> provide information that isn't need - keep it simple and get the FAFSA
> submitted (that is why the form has skip logic and is designed that way).
> >
> > Federal regulations do not require that income information be verified
> for a dependent auto-zero students, even if he or she is selected for
> verification.  However, I'm learning that most colleges in Maine do require
> that students in that scenario verify income information, either by going
> back in, changing the answer to the question, and using IRS DRT or by
> obtaining and submitting a  tax transcript.
> >
> > A couple of questions for you:
> >
> > What percentage of your 0 EFC students seems to be selected for
> verification?  A small portion, about half, or most?  Just trying to get a
> general idea of how many students this is impacting.
> >
> > Do you think this causes confusion for students who are selected for
> verification?  To me, it seems like an unnecessary extra step, but if it
> isn't a big deal to students, I don't want to stir up a storm around the
> issue.  On the other hand, if this additional step is causing confusion -
> or worse, preventing students from finishing the process, I want to be sure
> it is being discussed.  Verification of parent income information is still
> required for auto-zero students.
> >
> > I'd love your feedback on this topic.
> >
> > Thank you very much!
> >
> > Mila Tappan
> >
> >
> >
> > Mila  Tappan
> > College Access and Outreach Manager
> > FINANCE AUTHORITYOF MAINE
> > P.O. Box 949, 5 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04332-0949
> > 207-620-3504 or 1-800-228-3734
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> > [log in to unmask]
> >
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> 1983
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-- 
Marilyn Wegner
Assistant Director, Johnson Scholars Program
TRIO Student Support Services
University of Maine at Farmington
Franklin Hall
Farmington ME 04938
207-778-7565
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