All students who receive need-based financial aid at Oberlin College must complete a process called verification. This process is necessary to help the Office of Financial Aid comply with both institutional and federal financial aid policies.

Dependent students will be asked to submit the following materials to the Office of Financial Aid to complete the verification process:
1. a Dependent Student Verification Worksheet (go to Financial Aid Forms),
2. a signed copy of your custodial parent(s)' federal tax return,
3. a signed copy of your own federal tax return (if you will not file, you should complete the non-filer's section of the Verification Worksheet), and
4. any other forms deemed necessary.

Independent students will be asked to submit the following materials to the Office of Financial Aid to complete the verification process:
1. a Independent Student Verification Worksheet (go to Financial Aid Forms),
2. a signed copy of your own federal tax return (if you will not file, you should complete the non-filer's section of the Verification Worksheet),
3. a signed copy of your spouse's federal tax return (if he or she will not file, a non-filer statement form must be completed), and
4. Any other forms deemed necessary.