Verification
The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ has partnered with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process through the Verification Gateway (VG). If a student's FAFSA has been selected for verification by the US Department of Education, they will receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org and a postcard from Inceptia. Additionally, notifications from the Financial Aid Office will contain the university's unique link to begin the verification process.
What is FAFSA verification?
Five things you know need to know about verification:
- Verification is a federally required process that confirms the accuracy of the answers on your FAFSA.
- You must create an account via the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥'s Verification Gateway portal.
- You must submit all required documents, signatures, and answer any questions regarding the FAFSA answers.
- Allow seven to ten business days for the verification process to be completed once all required documents have been submitted. Once verification has been completed, our office will be notified of the file being verified.
- Our office will be notified if there was any change to the Student Aid Index (SAI). If any change was made, the award offer will be adjusted. The student would then be notified of any revision to the award offer.
If you have any questions about the verification process or need assistance finishing your task with Inceptia, please notify our Financial Aid Office. We are happy to be a liaison between Inceptia and the student and/or parent.
What is Verification Gateway?
Federal and/or Institutional Verification Process We are pleased to announce we have established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the verification process for The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ and parents through verification.
If your FAFSA application is selected for verification by the U.S Department of Education, you will receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org, or postcard from Inceptia, containing The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥’s unique website link to start the verification process.
We encourage you to begin the verification process within 7 days of receiving notification from Verification Gateway to ensure you receive your financial aid in time for payments. Failure to complete the verification process could result in the delay or denial of your financial aid.
Follow these steps to complete your verification:
· Access our school’s unique website link in the email from VGCS@inceptia.org or listed below.
· Create your account* and choose preferences for text messages and e-signatures.
· Complete your Task List.
· Confirm your signature and review your information.
· Sign your account.
*If you are a dependent student, your parent also needs to create their own account and complete each of these steps.
The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Verification Gateway Links and Deadlines
2023-2024 Federal Verification:
Deadline for submitting these documents is 9-13-24
2024-2025 Federal Verification:
Deadline for submitting these documents is 9-13-25
Questions about the Verification?
Questions about the verification process?
Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 am – 7 pm Central at 833.932.1877 or VGCS@inceptia.org.
Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Inceptia
Inceptia, a nonprofit organization, provides innovation and leadership in higher education access and success through engaging and empowering Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ and streamlining processes. Our mission is to support schools in illuminating a path towards educational and financial success for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ and families, allowing them to pursue their dreams of reaching their full potential. Our solutions are designed to support student success by helping schools maximize resources, so they can spend more time delivering meaningful learning experiences across the student lifecycle that fosters education and personal development.
Why was I selected for verification?
Historically, verification has been random and 30% of files have been selected for verification. Due to the FAFSA Simplification and the implementation of the Direct Data Exchange with the IRS for the 2425 academic year, fewer files will be selected for verification.
IDENTITY VERIFICATION AND STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE
Some Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are required to present themselves in person and submit a copy of their valid government ID to the Financial Aid Office. If a student is unable to present themselves in person, they must submit assign copy of the Identity Verification and Statement of Educational Purpose that was signed in front of a notary public and a copy of the valid government ID presented to the notary public mailed to the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, Financial Aid Office, 32 Campus Drive, Aber Hall - 5th floor, Missoula, Montana 59812-1254. This cannot be faxed or emailed to the office we must receive the original copy. The date of the student signature and the date of the notary’s signature must match. This is the one form and process that is extremely strict.
Individuals who filed an amended tax return are requested to submit a signed copy of their 2022 federal tax return and all applicable schedules to the Financial Aid Office. We could also accept the 2022 IRS Tax Return Transcript and Record of Account or Account Transcript that can be downloaded from www.irs.gov\ transcripts.
Helpful Verification Information
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As part of the verification process, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ and parents may be required to submit their federal income tax return data to the financial aid office. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows users to transfer tax information directly from the IRS to the FAFSA. This information is then forwarded to the schools listed on the FAFSA, which in turn satisfies the requirement to provide tax data.
Note: If after using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool a family alters any of the income data, the data will be invalidated and a tax transcript will be required in its place.
Not everyone is able to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The alternate way of providing the required data is to provide either a signed copy of that tax year's federal return (i.e. 1040 Form and supporting tax schedules) or an IRS tax return transcript.
For Information on the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or requesting an IRS Return Transcript refer to the .
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The FAFSA uses tax data from the prior-prior tax year. If a family selected for verification still has not filed their taxes by the extension deadline (October 15) then they will need to submit documentation to the financial aid office showing that the IRS authorized an extension past the 6-month October deadline, which includes:
- A copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for the tax year;
- Verification of non-filing from the IRS dated on or after the October extension deadline;
- Copies of all their W-2 forms (or equivalent) for the tax year employment income; and
- If self-employed, a signed statement with the amounts of their AGI and U.S. income tax paid for that tax year.
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Some Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ may be selected to present themselves in person and submit a copy of their valid government ID to the Financial Aid Office. Alternatively, if a student cannot appear in person, they must submit an Identity Verification and Statement of Educational Purpose form signed in front of a notary public, along with a copy of their valid government ID mailed to the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥'s Financial Aid Office.
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Students who filed an amended tax return are required to submit a signed copy of their 2022 federal tax return and all applicable schedules to the Financial Aid Office. Alternatively, they can provide a 2022 IRS tax return transcript and record of account or account transcript downloaded from www.irs.gov/transcripts.
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For grant aid to appear on the bill as a pending credit, verification documentation must be submitted prior to July 1st for the autumn semester, November 1st for the spring semester and April 1st for the summer semester.
To receive loans or an FSEOG grant, the verification process must be done prior to the time a student ceases attending in an academic year.
For the Federal Pell Grant, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ have up to one hundred and twenty (120) days after they cease to be enrolled in the academic year to complete verification, or by September 15th 2024, whichever comes earlier.
Understand that completing verification includes the time required for the school to submit corrections to the federal processor. Students need to also allow time for the financial aid office to determine award eligibility.
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Inceptia, a division of National Student Loan Program (NSLP), is a nonprofit organization committed to offering effective and uncomplicated solutions in verification, financial aid management, financial education, and repayment wellness. Their mission supports schools to illuminate paths towards educational and financial success for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ and families.
Questions Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Verification:
For questions about the verification process or assistance with Inceptia, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can contact INCEPTIA at 888-374-8427 or VGCS@inceptia.org, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST). INCEPTIA is a division of the National Student Loan Database Program, a nonprofit organization committed to offering effective solutions for financial aid management, financial education, and repayment wellness.