In order to comply with Federal regulations we may ask you to provide additional information that verifies the data you provided on your FAFSA. This information could include, but is not limited to, using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, an official tax transcript, your parent’s official tax transcript and independent or dependent verification forms.

Requests for information will be done through your MaineStreet To Do List and will include detailed instructions and links to specific forms. It is very important you respond to these requests by the due date listed and follow instructions closely otherwise you will be considered a late filer and your aid could be affected.

You do not need to send us supporting documents unless we request them specifically from you.

Please make sure you fill out the forms completely (leave no field blank) and include your Student ID (7 digit number) on all documents. Failure to follow instructions carefully will delay processing.

If you are ineligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and must submit a tax transcript to our office.  You may request a transcript at www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript.

Please note: If you or your parents are required to submit official tax transcripts it will take approximately 5-10 business days after your tax return has been processed to receive the transcript. Electronically filed tax returns take approximately 1-2 weeks to process after the return has been filed.  Paper filed tax returns take approximately 6-8 weeks to process after the return has been filed.

For all amended tax return filers: You must submit a signed copy of your original tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) and a copy of the amended tax return (1040X). This is the only instance where you may submit a tax return.

Contributors (Parents/Guardians) and/or students that filed a joint tax return and are separated/divorced, should contact the financial aid office for further instructions.

Special Circumstances

Unusual Circumstances – Dependency Changes

The Higher Education Act allows a financial aid administrator to make dependency overrides on a case-by-case basis for students with unusual circumstances for one academic year at a time. None of the conditions following singularly or in combination qualify as unusual circumstances meriting a dependency override: contributor (parent/guardian) refusal to contribute to a student’s education; contributor (parent/guardian) unwillingness to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification; contributor (parents/guardians) do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes; student demonstrates total self-sufficiency. Documented cases may qualify for consideration. Students that may have a qualifying unusual circumstance must request a “Unusual Circumstances Appeal Form” from the UMA Office of Financial Aid.

Special Circumstances Appeal – Change in Financial Situation

The FAFSA requires a family to report income and benefits received during a specified calendar year. This may not reflect the current financial situation of the family. The Higher Education Act allows UMA to consider the income expected from all sources in the calendar year immediately following the required FAFSA tax year to calculate the family’s current situation. Applications require complete supporting documentation and cannot be submitted in anticipation of the event occurrence: i.e.: loss of job or benefit. For additional information about this process, the student should contact the UMA Office of Financial Aid and speak with an aid professional.

The Office of Financial Aid highly recommends students submit these documents before the start of the Fall semester.

Any requests submitted after the last date of the Spring break will not be considered for that academic year.