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 > > Fax: 207-213-2604 – TTY: 207-626-2717 > > [log in to unmask] > > > > Helping Maine people achieve their business and education goals since > 1983 > > Best Places to Work in Maine - 2015 > > > > > > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: If you have received this e-mail in error, > please immediately notify the sender by e-mail at the address shown. This > e-mail transmission may contain confidential information. This information > is intended only for the use of the individuals or entities to whom it is > intended even if addressed incorrectly. Please delete it from your files if > you are not an intended recipient. Thank you for your compliance. > -- Marilyn Wegner Assistant Director, Johnson Scholars Program TRIO Student Support Services University of Maine at Farmington Franklin Hall Farmington ME 04938 207-778-7565 [log in to unmask]