Verification and Additional Documentation

There is no uniform process followed by all families that have been selected for verification. Families will be asked to verify specific pieces of data, and not all families will be asked to verify the same data. 

To know what information you must provide, please review the information Hamline University has sent you regarding verification or check Workday for more information (directions above). When you know what you must verify, additional information about each area can be found below. If the information you have been asked to provide is not listed below, or if you have any further questions, please contact us for additional information.

Income verification

The preferred method is to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA. Information about the Data Retrieval Tool can be found on the IRS Data Retrieval Tool page. If you used this tool and did not change any of the imported data when you first completed the FAFSA, you do not need to do it again, you just need to indicate that you used it on the verification form (below). 

If you are not able to use Data Retrieval Tool, you can send us a copy of your 2021 (2023-24 year)/2020 (2022-23 year) 1040 Tax Return and Schedules or Tax Return Transcript. Please be aware that the IRS now redacts name and Social Security Number information from Tax Return Transcripts. If you are sending us a copy, please be sure to include your name and student ID number. Information about how to obtain a free copy can be found on the Tax Return Transcript page.

For independent students, parents, and spouses who did not file taxes in 2021 (2023-24 year) or 2020 (2022-23 year), the federal government requires Hamline to collect letters of non-filing. These can be obtained by completing the IRS-Form 4506-T or online through IRS.gov. 

Please review our instruction form for help requesting a Letter of Non-Filing based on the year you were selected for verification:

• 2023–24 non-filer instructions
• 2022–23 non-filer instructions

If you requested a Letter of Non-Filing but were unsuccessful after three weeks, please complete the Statement of Non-Filing Form:

• 2023–24 Statement of Non-Filing
• 2022–23 Statement of Non-Filing

Once you have decided which method of income verification you will utilize, you must indicate your decision on the appropriate verification form.

2023–24 academic year

• For dependent students: 2023–24 Dependent Student Verification Worksheet
• For independent students: 2023–24 Independent Student Verification Worksheet

2022–23 academic year

• For dependent students: 2022–23 Dependent Student Verification Worksheet
• For independent students: 2022–23 Independent Student Verification Worksheet

Verification of income for individuals with other circumstances

Individuals who filed a tax extension: Please note that this is no longer a valid option after the extension filing deadline of October 15, 2022 for the 2023-24 year or October 15, 2021 for the 2022-23 year.

If you were granted an additional tax extension beyond the automatic six-month extension, you will need to provide us with all of the following documents:

• A signed statement that certifies you were unable to secure VONF documentation from the IRS, that you did not file a 2021 (2023-24) or 2020 (2022-23) income tax return, and include a list of sources of income and the amount of any income
• A copy of filed IRS Form 4868 for the appropriate tax year
• A copy of the IRS's approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for the appropriate tax year
• A copy of any W-2 form for each source of 2021 or 2020 employment income received 

Individuals who filed an amended IRS Income Tax Return

If you have filed an amended tax return, please notify the financial aid office and supply both of the following documents:

• An IRS Tax Return Transcript or signed IRS Form 1040 for either 2021 (2023-24) or 2020 (2022-23) that includes information from the original tax return
• A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040X that was filed with the IRS

Tax filers and nontax filers in the freely associated states, a US Territory, or Commonwealth

If you filed taxes in 2021 (2023-24) or 2020 (2022-23), please submit a transcript of the tax return from your taxing authority. If you were not required to and did not file taxes in 2021 or 2020, then you may submit a copy of your Wage and Tax Statement for each source of income for 2021 or 2020 and a signed statement identifying all income and taxes for 2021 or 2020.

Individuals who were victims of IRS identity theft 

If you are a victim of IRS identity theft who is not able to obtain an IRS Tax Return Transcript or use the IRS DRT, you must complete the following steps for income verification: 

• Contact the IRS at 800-908-4490
• Upon authentication of the tax filer's identity, the IRS will provide (via US Postal Service) an alternate transcript called a Tax Return DataBase View, which should be submitted to the financial aid office
• Provide a statement, signed and dated by the tax filer(s), indicating that they were a victim of IRS tax-related identity theft and that the IRS has been made aware of the tax-related identity theft

High school graduation verification

If asked to provide high school graduation verification, please send one of the following documents directly to the Office of Financial Aid: High school diploma, final high school transcripts showing the date your diploma was awarded, or GED Certificate. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.