Verification Process

After you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, you’ll get a Student Aid Report (SAR) that summarizes the information you provided on your application.

You might see a note on your SAR saying you’ve been selected for verification; or CNM might inform you that you’ve been selected. Verification is the process used to confirm that the data reported on your FAFSA form is accurate.

The Department of Education does not provide applicants with specific reasoning why their FAFSA was selected; however, they use a formula to select applicants based on common data errors.

If You are Selected for Verification

If you are selected for verification, you must submit the appropriate documentation to the CNM financial aid office. This documentation includes, but is not limited to:

• CNM Financial Aid Verification Worksheet, completed and signed by student and/or parents
  • Links to the Verification Worksheets are available to students through their myCNM account under the “Financial Aid” tab, select “Eligibility,” then click “Student Requirements,” and select the applicable aid year. Verification worksheets forms can also be downloaded or obtained at the Financial Aid Office.
• Applicable tax transcripts and schedules for student/parent or student/spouse
• If you did not use the IRS Data-Retrieval Tool, you will need to obtain your tax transcript and the appropriate tax schedule for the year in question.
• All student/spouse/parent W-2 form(s) or 1099-MISC form(s) for total income
• Parent verification of non-tax filing, if applicable
• Statement of Educational Purpose
• High school diploma or proof of equivalent 
• Other documentation requested by school

You can help make the process work better by:

1. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or request Tax Return Transcripts as soon as notified.
2. Complete the verification worksheet in its entirety prior to submitting
3. Make sure to submit all required documents and they are complete and legible.
4. Always include the student’s full given name and student id number on each document submitted.
5. Keep a copy of all documents submitted for your records
6. Monitor the student’s CNM email account for requests for additional information and updates.

The Verification Process

The verification process involves the following:

1. The financial aid office compares information from the student’s FAFSA with all other required verification documents.
2. The financial aid office will contact students either to the student CNM email account or in some cases by phone if certain documentation is not included, if any information is incomplete or blank, or if the financial aid office needs to request additional information.
3. Once the verification review is complete, the financial aid office may need to make necessary corrections to the student’s FAFSA.
4. If necessary, the financial aid office will correct a student’s FAFSA and submit them to the federal processor.

Verification processing time is generally 7 to 10 business days. It is very important during or after verification that student (parent, or spouse) NOT make any changes to the FAFSA or the awarding and disbursement of federal or need-based aid will be delayed.

Submitting Your Documents 

Students may submit verification documents to CNM Financial Aid office through one of the following ways:

• In person:
• Main Campus: 900 University SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, Student Services Building, 1^st floor
• Westside Campus: 10549 Universe Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114 
• Montoya Campus: 4700 Morris NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, Tom Wiley Hall,  Room 105
• By regular mail: 525 Buena Vista Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106
• Via Fax: (505) 224-3124 (need original signatures)
• Via Email: [email protected] (need original signatures)

Students may check the status of verification by visiting their myCNM account or by calling (505) 224-3090.