Verification Process

VERIFICATION FAQ’s
What is Verification?
The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects FAFSA applications for verification.  If you are selected, the information on your FAFSA will be reviewed for accuracy. Here are some reasons why a student is selected for verification:
      The student was selected randomly
      The FAFSA that was submitted was incomplete
      The data on the FAFSA appears to contradict itself
      Estimated information was provided on the FAFSA

Will verification stop me from receiving financial aid?
You will not receive an award until the verification process is successfully completed.  Once the necessary requirements are submitted, your file will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the next step.  If additional information is needed, or corrections to your FAFSA need to be made by Inceptia, you will need to allow additional time for processing.  Your classes will not be secured by financial aid until verification is completed.

What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is an option offered on the FAFSA that allows the transfer of tax information directly from the IRS to the FAFSA.  It is strongly recommended that this is used so that the information provided on the FAFSA is accurate.

What is an IRS Tax Return Transcript?  How do I obtain one?
If you are selected for verification and were not able to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool, you may be required to submit a 2016 tax return transcript from the IRS.  This is not a copy of your tax return. The tax return transcript can be requested free of charge by using the link below:

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Will my financial aid change due to verification?
If the information provided for verification does not match your FAFSA, corrections will be made on your behalf.  These corrections may decrease or increase your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), or it may not change at all. Your EFC is calculated by the Department of Education and determines what type of aid you may qualify for and how much (based on your enrollment status).

Do I still have to complete verification if I did not work or file taxes?
If you are selected for verification, then you must complete the process. Each student has their own specific requirements which is determined by the Department of Education.

Effective: Fall 2018

Federal Verification Process 

We are pleased to announce we have established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process for Dawson Community College. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide students 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 Dawson Community College’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.

Dawson Community College Verification Gateway Links and Deadlines

2023-2024 Federal Verification: https://dawson.verificationgateway.org

• Deadline for submitting these documents is September 13, 2024.

2024-2025 Federal Verification: https://dawson.verificationgateway.org

• Deadline for submitting these documents is April 30, 2025.

Questions about the verification process? 

Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 am – 7 pm Central at 833.932.1877 or VGCS@inceptia.org. 

About Inceptia 

Inceptia, a nonprofit organization, provides innovation and leadership in higher education access and success through engaging and empowering students and streamlining processes. Our mission is to support schools in illuminating a path toward educational and financial success for students 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.