Verification

Being selected for verification is not uncommon and providing the documents we need is pretty simple. Required verification documents can be found on ERNIE under Campus Solutions, in your Tasks (To-Do List). We will also send you an email to your Embry‑Riddle email account.

If documents are received but are incomplete, illegible or the wrong year, you will be required to resubmit the appropriate documents to the Financial Aid Office. View the status of your To-Do List items by logging into your Student Center.

If there are any discrepancies between your FAFSA and your submitted verification documents, the Financial Aid Office may request additional documents to resolve the discrepancies. If additional documents are needed, an email will be sent to your Embry‑Riddle email account.

Verification processing time may take up to 4-6 weeks from the date the last required document is received. There are peak periods when processing times could be longer.

Our verification document submission priority date is July 1 for Fall.

Review your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) to see if your FAFSA was selected for verification. Find your Student Aid Index (SAI) in the upper right-hand corner. The SAI will have an asterisk next to it if you are selected and information will follow in the FSS acknowledgement letter.

• Embry-Riddle will also send you an email notification about required documents.
• On ERNIE, under Campus Solutions, your Tasks (To-Do List) will display required documents.
• Required documents must be received within 45 days of the first notification that documents are needed. You will be sent three notifications.
• The Financial Aid Office must receive all verification documents no later than 30 days before the last day of enrollment or the end of the school year, whichever is earlier.

Follow the steps below to access your To-Do List:

• Login to ERNIE and go to “My Tools.”
• Click on “Campus Solutions Student Homepage,” and then click the “Tasks” tile.
• See each item for completion requirements.
• Click the “Detail” hyperlink for detailed information on the item.
• Submit required items as stated in “To-Do Item Detail.” Prompt submission is strongly advised.

Required verification documents can be securely uploaded, faxed, mailed or dropped off in-person. Be sure to include your student ID on all documents.

Secure upload is a safe alternative to emailing documents to the Financial Aid Office. Email is not a secure way to submit sensitive data, and we strongly discourage you from sending your confidential data via email.

Using Secure Upload: You will need to complete some basic identifying information before uploading your documents in PDF format. It is imperative that you enter this identifying information correctly, as this is the data we will use to route your documents to the correct student's electronic record. Incorrect information will lead to processing delays.

Fax: 928-777-3893

In-Person: Visitor’s Center, Building 41

Mail: ERAU Financial Aid Office, 3700 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301

Corrections made by the university: If the verification process results in corrections to any item on the FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office will submit those corrections electronically to the U.S. Department of Education.

Corrections made by the student: Students are not encouraged to make changes to their FAFSA after it is submitted since the FAFSA is a snapshot of your situation as of the day it is submitted. However, in the event that you must make changes, please see the instructions for different scenarios at How to Correct or Update Your FAFSA.

Notifications: The student will receive an updated FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) showing the changes made, regardless of who made the correction. Embry-Riddle will also send an email to your Embry‑Riddle email account when corrections are made.

Email is an official means of communication for students at Embry‑Riddle. All official university email will be sent to each student’s assigned university email address. Students are responsible for reading emails received from the university.

Obtain a free Tax Return Transcript (TRT) from the IRS using one of the methods below.

Option 1: Submit an online request to have the TRT mailed to the tax filer.

1. Go to the IRS Get Transcript website.
2. Click on “Get Transcript by Mail."
3. Enter the tax filer’s Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN), date of birth, street address, and zip or postal code. Use the address currently on file with the IRS.
4. Click “Continue."
5. Under "Select Transcript Type," choose “Return Transcript” and the appropriate tax year (i.e., 2022 for the 2024-2025 academic year).
6. If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a TRT by mail within 10 days.
7. Then, submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office.

Option 2: Call 800-908-9945 to have the TRT mailed to the tax filer.

1. Call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946.
2. Tax filers will follow the prompts and enter their SSN or ITIN and the numbers in their street address. Generally, this will be numbers of the street address that was listed on the last tax return filed.
3. Select “Option 2” to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript and then enter the appropriate tax year (i.e., 2022 for the 2024-2025 academic year).
4. If successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a TRT by mail within 10 days.
5. Then, submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office.

Option 3: Online Immediate Access to IRS Tax Return Transcripts

To access IRS records online, users must create an IRS Online Account and verify their identity. Users must have a SSN, acceptable photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport or passport card), and a smartphone or computer with a webcam.

1. Go to the IRS Get Transcript website.
2. Click on the “Get Transcript Online" button.
3. If a new user, create a new account with ID.me:
   • Enter your email address and create a password.
   • Confirm your email address.
   • Secure your account — choose an MFA option (multi-factor authentication, such as text message or phone call).
   • Verify selected MFA option.
   • Take front and back picture of your photo ID.
   • Take a selfie.
   • Enter your Social Security Number.
   • Confirm your personal information is correct.
4. If a returning user, sign in using an existing account with ID.me or an existing IRS username.
5. Select a reason you need a transcript (i.e., Higher Education/Student Aid).
6. Enter your ERAU student ID number in the "Customer File Number" field. Then, click "Go."
7. In the "Return Transcript" box, select the appropriate tax year (i.e., 2022 for the 2024-2025 academic year).
8. When the Tax Return Transcript displays, print a copy and save the file. Remember to change the file type to PDF when saving.
9. Then, submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office.

For independent students and parents who need to obtain a Verification of Non-filing Letter (VONF) from the IRS, use one of the methods below.

Option 1: Instantly retrieve a VONF at the IRS Get Your Tax Record website by clicking "Get Transcript Online."

• The online tool requires the user to create an IRS Online Account before accessing tax records.
• If the individual is unable to create an IRS Online Account or retrieve their VONF, use option 2.
• Individuals that have never filed taxes will need to request a VONF using option 2.

Option 2: Complete and submit the Form 4506-T to the IRS:

• Print Form 4506-T from the IRS website and fill in the necessary information on lines 1-4.
• To assist with identification, list the student ERAU ID number on line 5 (Customer File Number); however, this is not required.
• Check box 7, "Verification of Non-Filing."
• On line 9, enter "12/31/22" for the 2024-2025 academic year.
• Then, sign and mail or fax it to the IRS. If faxing, be sure to get a fax confirmation to ensure successful transmission.
• The VONF is mailed to the individual, usually within 10 calendar days.
• Then, submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office.

Option 1: Request a replacement copy from the employer who issued the original.

Option 2: Instantly retrieve a “Wage & Income Transcript” on the IRS Get Your Tax Record website by clicking the “Get Transcript Online” button.

• The online tool requires the user to register before submitting a Wage & Income Transcript request.
• If the individual is unable to create an IRS account, use option 3.

Option 3: Request a “Wage & Income Transcript” by submitting the Form 4506-T to the IRS.

• Print the IRS Form 4506-T from the IRS website.
• Fill in the necessary information on lines 1-4.
• To assist with identification, list the student’s ERAU ID number on line 5 (customer file number); however, it is not required.
• Check box 8, "Form W-2."
• On line 9, enter "12/31/22" for the 2024-2025 academic year.
• Then, sign and mail it or fax it to the IRS. If faxing, be sure to get a fax confirmation to ensure it successfully transmits.
• The Wage & Income Transcript is sent by mail to the individual usually within 10 days.
• Then, submit a copy to the Financial Aid Office.

Additional information can be found on the IRS Transcript FAQ website.

Amended Tax Return Filers

Individuals who filed an amended return (IRS Form 1040X) and unable to use the FA-DDX (the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange) may submit the documents listed in option 1 or 2 below.

• Option 1: A copy of the IRS Tax Return Transcript and the IRS Record of Account Transcript for the tax year requested.
• Option 2: A signed copy of your 1040 Federal Tax Return and 1040X Amended Tax Return for the tax year requested.

Tax Extension Filers

Individuals who filed for an extension beyond the traditional six-month deadline must submit all of the following:

• A signed statement listing all the sources income for the year requested and the amount from each source.
• A copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for the year requested.
• A copy of all W-2 Forms received for the year requested or an equivalent document.
• If self-employed, the signed statement must also indicate the amount of estimated adjusted gross income (AGI) and U.S. income tax paid for the year requested.

Note: Later in the year, you must provide documentation of actual tax filing (Tax Transcript or Tax Return) to verify tax return data.

Foreign Tax Filers

Individuals who filed taxes in Puerto Rico or another foreign country should submit a signed copy of their foreign tax return for the year requested with the amounts converted to U.S. dollars. 

Tip: When an individual has filed tax returns from both a foreign nation and the U.S. for the same tax year, submit the signed U.S. tax return for verification.

Foreign Non-Tax Filers

Individuals who are not required and did not file a tax return in their home country may submit the items below:

• A signed and dated statement certifying:
• That the individual did not and is not required to file a tax return for the year requested.
• The sources and amounts of earnings, other income and resources that supported the individual(s) for the year requested.
• For individuals without a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN), that they do not have an SSN, ITIN or EIN.
• A copy of each W-2 Form (or its equivalent) received for each source of income for the year requested.