It has been brought to our attention that financial aid offices may ask the student (or the student’s parents) to submit a copy of their tax return for verification purposes. When the school’s financial aid office requests a copy of your return (or your parents’ return), you (or your parent) will need to sign the printed return before submitting to the financial aid office. We have been notified of instances when they will return the tax return to you and/or possibly delay the issuance of financial aid funds. 

When you electronically file your tax return, you are unable to physically sign your return, rather you use a PIN to electronically sign your return. However, when asked for a signed copy of the tax return, you will want to print a copy of the return (exactly as it was originally filed or amended, if applicable). You will then want to sign the bottom of the tax return next to the section “Sign Here.”

If you have any additional questions regarding the status of your FAFSA or questions relating to the financial aid process, please contact your school’s financial aid office or go to http://www.FAFSA.ed.gov/.