Title IV Student Eligility Requirements and Verification Policy 

Title IV Student Eligibility Requirements

In order to participate in the federal Title IV financial aid programs, a student must meet the definition of an eligible student as found in the FSA Handbook for the appropriate award year. 

To be eligible for federal funded financial aid programs at RPCC, the student must:

• Demonstrate financial need according to Federal Methodology.
• Meet one of the following academic criteria:
  • Has an accredited high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma);
  • Has the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development (GED) certificate or other state-sanctioned test or diploma-equivalency certificate;
  • Has completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law;
  • Has completed secondary school education in a homeschool setting which qualifies for an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law, if state law does not require a homeschooled student to receive a credential for their education; or
  • Ability to Benefit: 
    • If student was enrolled in college or career school prior to July 1, 2012, or if currently enrolled in an eligible career pathway program, student may show qualification to obtain a higher education
      • by passing an approved ability-to-benefit test (if student doesn’t have a diploma or GED, the campus’ Ability to Test administrator  can administer a USDOE approved test (ACCUPLACER Classic Test) to determine whether student can benefit from the education offered at that school); 
      • or complete six credit hours or equivalent course work toward a Title IV degree or certificate (student may not receive aid while earning the six credit hours).  Neither remedial nor developmental coursework count toward this requirement.
• Be enrolled as a regular student and a degree seeking student.
• Be enrolled in an eligible program of study.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Initially and continually meet the requirements for satisfactory academic progress (SAP) established by the College/LCTCS
• Be registered for the Selective Service Registration (if required).
• Not be in default of any loan, if so, satisfactory repayment arrangements must have been made.
• Not owe a repayment on Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, ACG, Federal Perkins Loan, or state grants.
• Meet Federal Regulations regarding any drug convictions.

Verification

Once students complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Central Processing System (CPS), there is a possibility that the application will be selected for a process called “Verification”. This is an audit/review process in which the student’s school of choice will be required to conduct the review in order to determine the student’s eligibility. Generally, CPS will select the application for verification based on conflicting data, a change from the prior year or due to random selection process. If the application is selected, and asterisk will appear on the Student Aid Report (SAR), next to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Additionally, the school’s Office of Financial Aid also is authorized to “Institutionally” select applications for this review process in cases of conflicting information.

However, River Parishes Community College has partnered with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide students and parents through verification.

If your FAFSA application is selected for verification by the U.S Department of Education, you will receive an email from [email protected], or postcard from Inceptia, containing River Parishes Community College’s unique website link to start the verification process.

We encourage you to begin the verification process within 7 days of receiving notification from Verification Gateway to ensure you receive your financial aid in time for payments. Failure to complete the verification process could result in the delay or denial of your financial aid. The verification process cannot begin and/or be completed until all required documents are submitted.

Follow these steps to complete your verification:

· Access our school’s unique website link in the email from [email protected] or listed below.

· Create your account* and choose preferences for text messages and e-signatures.

· Complete your Task List.

· Confirm your signature and review your information.

· Sign your account.

*If you are a dependent student, your parent also needs to create their own account and complete each of these steps.

River Parishes Community College Verification Gateway Links and Deadlines

2023-2024 Federal Verification: https://rpcc.verificationgateway.org

Deadline for submitting these documents is 9-13-2024

Questions about the verification process? Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 am – 7 pm Central at 888.374.8427 or [email protected].

Students who are selected for verification by the processor or institutionally selected by the Office of Financial Aid must submit the signed and completed verification forms and documents, along with the supporting documentation such as IRS Tax Return Transcripts, W-2 forms, etc. It is the policy of this school to verify all selected applicants (Institutionally selected and/or those selected by CPS).

The list below includes the verification items used when reviewing a student’s verification process:

Verification Items:

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
U.S. Income Tax Paid
Education Credits
Untaxed IRA Distributions
Untaxed Pensions
IRA Deductions and Payments
Tax-Exempt Interest
Income Earned from Work
Household Size
Number in College
Child Support Paid
High School Completion Status
Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose
Other Untaxed Income

Verification Tracking Groups:

V1, V4, & V5

V1: Standard Verification Group ~ Tracking Flag V1 :

Students in this group must verify the following if they are tax filers: AGI, U.S. Income Tax Paid, Untaxed portions of IRA distributions, Untaxed portions of pensions, IRA deductions and payments, tax-exempt interest income, education credits, household size, number in college, SNAP, child support paid.

Students who are non-tax filers must verify the following: Income earned from work, household size, number in college, SNAP benefits, child support paid.

V4: Custom Verification Group ~ Tracking Flag V4:

Students must verify high school completion status and identify/statement of educational purpose in addition to receipt of SNAP benefits and payment of child support.

Identify Verification – Students are asked to appear in person to present their valid governmental issued photo ID (ex. Driver’s License, State ID or Passport).

In the event the student is unable to appear in person, then he/she must appear before a notary with all required IDs and documents to have his/her identity or educational purpose confirmed.

High School Completion Verification

If the student provides a copy of his/her high school diploma or equivalent, it is accepted.  There is a tracking code, High School Graduation Completion Documentation (HSGCD) that is placed on the student’s financial aid tracking record in Banner, if there is conflicting information reported – no high school completion date in SOAHSCH but is self-certified by the student on his/her FAFSA® application.  If that is the case, the student is required to complete the high school completion form and provide a copy of his/her high school diploma or high school transcript that includes high school graduation date.  The Office of Student Financial Aid verifies the validity of the high school by checking state approved school listing online.  If the school is not verified at valid or state approved, the diploma is not accepted to satisfy the High School Graduation Completion Documentation (HSGCD) in Banner under tracking requirements and aid will not be disbursed.

V5: Aggregate Verification Group ~ Tracking Flag V5:

Students must verify high school completion status and identity/statement of educational purpose in addition to the items in the Standard Verification Group.

V6: Aggregate Verification Group ~ Tracking Flag V6:

Students must verify the items in the Standard Verification Group as well as certain other untaxed income on the FAFSA:

• Payments to tax-deferred pension and retirement savings plans 
• Child support received 
• Housing, food, and other living allowances paid to members of the military, clergy, and other 
• Veterans’ noneducation benefits 
• Other untaxed income 
• Money received or paid on the applicant’s behalf 
• Resources or benefits not appearing on the FAFSA, such as in-kind support from a relative or a government agency.

Making corrections to the FAFSA data:

Once the student receives their SAR, they should review it for accuracy. If changes are needed, the student (and/or parents) should make and submit changes/corrections to the FAFSA online by using their FSA ID.

Once all verification documents are received by the Office of Financial Aid, the file will be reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Often times, corrections are required if the information indicated on the submitted documents does not match the FAFSA data. The Office of Student Financial Aid will submit corrections on the student’s behalf. The corrections will be sent to the CPS via EdConnect. Generally, the corrected data is processed and received back in our office within 72 hours after corrected data is submitted.

An email is sent by CPS to the student informing him/her once the corrections have been processed. If no additional corrections are needed (pending the student has not also submitted corrections), and the student meets all necessary eligibility requirements, then an award will be processed.

If the student’s EFC and Title IV aid amounts change:

• In the event your EFC changes on an initial ISIR, prior to the student being awarded, the award will be based on the last valid ISIR transaction.
• If the EFC changes after the student has been awarded, the award must be cancelled. The file will be re-evaluated, and additional documentation may be requested from the student. Once that process is completed and pending the student meets all eligibility criteria, the student will be re-awarded based on the last valid ISIR transaction and EFC.
• If the EFC changes occurred which caused a change to the Financial Aid award, the student will receive an e-mail advising the student to check their LOLA account because their award amount has changed.

Office of Inspector General (OIG): Students and parents who willfully submit fraudulent information will be investigated to the furthest extent possible. All cases of fraud and abuse will be reported to the proper authorities (Central Processing Servicer (CPS), Judicial Services, IRS (if applicable), including the Office of Inspector General https://oig.hhs.gov.

About Inceptia Inceptia, a division of National Student Loan Program (NSLP), is a nonprofit organization committed to offering effective and uncomplicated solutions in verification, financial aid management, financial education, and repayment wellness. Our mission supports schools as they illuminate paths towards educational and financial success for students and families.