Verification - Financial Aid - Santa Clara University

Verification is the process established by the U.S. Department of Education to check the accuracy of aid applications. If you were selected for verification, you will need to provide the specific documentation requested based on your dependency status.

Participation in the verification process is not optional. If you do not submit the requested documentation, you will not be eligible to receive federal, state or University need-based financial aid.

NOTE: Failure to meet the verification deadline may result in aid not being reinstated. Any delays in sending documentation may result in you not having your aid by the beginning of the quarter. In this case, it is your obligation to pay the account balance on your student account.

Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX)

NOTE: If you and/or your parent(s) were able to successfully utilize the Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX), no further tax and income documentation from the IRS is needed at this time. All we will need is your completed 2025-2026 Verification Worksheet.

To obtain a 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript

Get Transcript by Mail – Go to www.irs.gov, click "Get Your Tax Record.” Click “Get Transcript by Mail.” Make sure to request the “Return Transcript” (NOT the “Account Transcript”). The transcript is generally received within 10 business days from the IRS’s receipt of the online request.
Get Transcript Online – Go to www.irs.gov, click "Get Your Tax Record." Click “Get Transcript Online.” Make sure to request the “Return Transcript” (NOT the “Account Transcript”). To use the Get Transcript Online tool, the user must have the following: (1) access to a valid email address,(2)a text-enabled mobile phone (pay-as-you-go plans cannot be used) in the user’s name, and (3)specific financial account numbers (such as a credit card number or an account number for a home mortgage or auto loan). The transcript displays online upon successful completion of the IRS’s two-step authentication.
Automated Telephone Request – 1-800-908-9946. Transcript is generally received within 10business days from the IRS’s receipt of the telephone request.
Paper Request Form – IRS Form 4506T-EZ or IRS Form 4506-T. The transcript is generally received within 10 business days from the IRS’s receipt of the paper request form.
If you wish to visit a local IRS office, you can find the nearest IRS office here.

Non-Tax Filers

Student Certification of Non-Filing

If you did not and will not file a federal income tax return, you must complete the "Non Tax Return Filer" section of the Santa Clara University Verification Worksheet.

Parent Certification of Non-Filing

If your parent(s) did not and will not file a federal income tax return, they must complete the "Non Tax Return Filer" section of the Santa Clara University Verification Worksheet.