Financial Aid Forms

Verification Process

Students may be selected for verification after submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The selection is based on information reported on the FAFSA and is initiated by the Department of Education. In certain circumstances Rockford University may select a student based on conflicting information on the FAFSA.  Rockford University is then required to verify any FAFSA selected by the processor.  If selected, you will be notified by the processor after submitting the FAFSA.  Prospective students and current students are then further notified via mail by the Office of Student Administrative Services (SAS) indicating forms and documents that need to be submitted. This information is needed before a financial aid award package can be prepared.

Rockford University must confirm the accuracy of information entered by a student on the FAFSA by requesting documentation from the student (and parent(s) if dependent) as required by the federal government. If you purposely give false or misleading information on the worksheets or documents submitted, you may be fined, be sentenced to jail, or both.  According to federal regulations, the following items must be verified:

  1. Household Size
  2. Number in College
  3. Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
  4. Wages
  5. US (federal) taxes paid
  6. Certain types of untaxed income and benefits

Rockford University verifies the above information with the collection of the following documents:

  1. Verification Worksheets – students will need to download and print the appropriate worksheets from the list found below.
  2. Parent IRS Tax Return Transcript for the appropriate tax year.
  3. Student IRS Tax Return Transcript for the appropriate tax year.
  4. Copy of all parent and student W-2 forms for the appropriate tax year

If a change to your FAFSA data is warranted due to the verification process, a new Student Aid Report (SAR) will be generated and sent to you by the Department of Education. New students who have been admitted or returning students who have registered will receive an award letter by mail offering all available financial aid that the student is eligible for.

Once the initial financial aid award is received, any changes to the financial aid award will result in a revised award letter being sent to the student.

Students who are in default on a federal student loan are ineligible for additional federal student aid until he or she resolves the default.  Your eligibility for financial aid can be restored if you can provide documentation from the loan holder of the defaulted loan indicating that your loan has been resolved and you are eligible for Title IV funding.

Federal aid overpayments also have to be resolved before any additional financial aid can be processed.

No federal, state or need based institutional financial aid can be distributed to the student’s account until the process is complete.  Verification must be completed prior to the end of the semester in which financial aid is requested.  The above required documents can be submitted in person in the SAS office Located in Nelson Hall, sent by postal mail or faxed.

Mailing Address:

Rockford University
SAS
5050 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61108

Phone # 815-394-3700
Fax # 815-394-5174

Financial Aid Portal

1. Go to MyFinancialAid@Rockford
2. Enter your 9 digit student ID
3. Enter your password (first time users must create their password)
4. Click Submit
5. Go to the Accept Awards screen and select Accept or Decline to accept/decline your awards
6. Click Submit
7. Upload documentation directly to portal

For more information please see the Financial Aid Portal Instructions (PDF).

Financial Aid Forms

 

Verification Documents

Please find below the required verification documents. Please see the letter that was sent to you to see which documents you are required to submit.

2024-2025

2023-2024

 

 

Student Administrative Services (SAS)
Nelson Hall--1st floor
5050 E. State Street Rockford, IL 61108
815-394-3700
Fax: 815-394-5174
sas@rockford.edu

Hours:
Monday - Friday:  8:30 am to 5:00 pm