Quality Assurance
The University of Tennessee participates in a special verification program called Quality Assurance. The Institutional Quality Assurance Program is a program designed by the United States Department of Education to assure accuracy in the administration of federal financial aid. You may have received notification from the Federal Processor that you have been chosen for verification but you will not have to supply UT with any information unless you are notified by us that you are on QA. During QA, the University will ask you to provide documentation to confirm the information on your FAFSA. This will include a verification worksheet and may include your tax transcript. If you are a dependent student, we may also request a copy of your parent's tax transcript.
Check your Status
To view outstanding requirements and important messages concerning your aid status, login to your MYUTK portal.
1. Under the section titled “UTK Financial Aid Links” select “View Requirement Messages."
2. In the “Select Aid Year” field, choose the appropriate aid year.
What Type of Documentation is Required?
Students will need to provide the appropriate Student Verification Worksheet. Students will also need to provide tax documentation, either by utilizing the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or by providing an IRS Tax Transcript.
Below are links to the appropriate forms and resources. Please do not leave any section blank or incomplete.
2012-2013 Dependent Student Verification Worksheet
2012-2013 Independent Student Verification Worksheet
Changes for the 2012-13 Academic Year:
When verifying your 2012-13 FAFSA, we are no longer allowed to accept a signed copy of a 1040 tax return form to complete the verification process. This is a federal regulation that we must follow.
To document your tax return, you may:
- Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer 2011 tax data to your FAFSA , OR
- Request an IRS Tax Transcript
Using IRS Data Retrieval Tool:
If you did not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when you filed your 2012-13 FAFSA, you may still do so.
- Login at fafsa.gov to “Make FAFSA Corrections”
- On the FAFSA, in the Financial Information section, click “Link to IRS’”
- On the IRS website, fill out the form and click on “Transfer my tax information into the FAFSA”
You will be unable to use IRS Data Retrieval Tool if:
- Your marital status changed after December 31, 2011
- You filed an amended return (See Tax Transcript below)
- You filed married filing separately You filed a tax return using a Tax ID Number (TIN)
- You filed a foreign tax return - Submit a signed copy of your return to the financial aid office
- The home address on the FAFSA does not match the address on the tax return
Note: Tax information electronically filed within the last 2 weeks or submitted by mail within the last 8 weeks may not be available.
To Request an IRS Tax Transcript:
If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you must submit an official IRS TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT, (not an Account Transcript.) There are 3 ways to do this:
1) Request one electronically on the IRS website at www.irs.gov
- In the Tools section of the homepage, click "Order a Return or Account Transcript"
- Under Choice 3, click "Order a Transcript"
- Then select "Return Transcript"
2) Call the IRS at 1-800-908-9946 and follow the prompts to request a Tax Transcript for 2011
3) File Form 4506T-EZ
If you filed an Amended Return:
- Submit both an IRS Tax "Return Transcript" and an IRS Tax "Account Transcript," OR
- Submit the Record of Account, (using IRS Form 4506-T), which could take 30 days
REMEMBER: Include your student ID number on your tax transcript before you submit it to our office.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT NOTE: If you are applying for aid at other schools, please make a copy of your tax transcript for your records before you submit to us. We will not keep paper copies of any documents and the IRS will currently only accommodate one request.
Where Do I Send My Documentation?
You may mail or deliver the completed documentation to:
The University of Tennessee
Office of Financial Aid
116 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0210
You may fax the completed documentation to:
(865) 974-2175
When sending your documentation, please remember the following:
- Clearly identify that your information is being sent in reference to your QA inquiry.
- Send all documents at the same time.
- Remember to make photocopies for your records.
- Print your name and 9-digit student ID number on each page of the documents that you submit.
What is the Deadline for Documentation?
Each recipient selected must verify the accuracy of selected data elements reported on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You and/or your parent(s) must complete and sign the forms and submit all required documentation within thirty (30) days.
Failure to submit all requested documentation will result in the forfeiture of your financial aid eligibility.
Do Students Have a Choice About Participating?
Students do not have a choice; your participation is mandatory. It is required as a result of your acceptance and receipt of federal funds. Your signature on the FAFSA signifies your agreement to provide proof of application information to the Office of Financial Aid.
What Happens if Students Do Not Provide the Documentation Requested?
A hold will be placed on all your financial aid, and you will be ineligible for any further Federal, State, or Institutional aid - including loans. Students scheduled to graduate in December will have their records flagged.
Who Can Students Call if They Have Questions About the Quality Assurance Program?
Call the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at (865) 974-3131 for assistance, or leave your name, student ID, and phone number.
Contact Us
116 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0210
Telephone: (865) 974-3131
FAX: (865) 974-2175
finaid@utk.edu
HOURS:
8:00am-5:00pm (M-F)