As part of Federal Student Aid, some students are selected for verification. This isn't an indication that anything is wrong with your application; it is just a requirement that selected students have for Federal Student Aid. The federal verification process can include verification of your identity. If you see this requirement on your Cornell financial aid to do list you must provide information to our office to confirm your eligibility for Federal Student Aid. This can be completed in person, through video call, or through mailing a notarized statement with a copy of the identification you presented to the notary to our office.

How to Complete the Requirement in Person:

Please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment in 203 Day Hall or your respective professional college Financial Aid Office and bring an unexpired valid government-issued photo ID. A list of valid government-issued IDs can be found at the bottom of this page.

How to Complete the Requirement by Video Call

If you are unable to come in-person, contact your financial aid office to schedule a video call to present an unexpired, valid, government-issued photo identification. 

How to Complete the Requirement with a Notary:

If you are unable to come to our office in person or schedule a video call with your financial aid office, you may present your ID to a notary public and mail the original document to our office with a copy of your unexpired valid government-issued photo ID. 

If choosing to complete the document with a notary public, the notary public must be an approved U.S. Notary Public. We are unable to accept documents that are completed with the use of a foreign equivalent of a notary public. In these instances, students may be able to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate that is close to the student's or study abroad location to see if a U.S. notary service is available.

Information on Acceptable Identification:

A valid unexpired government-issued photo identification (photo ID) can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• U.S. Passport;
• Driver’s license;
• Non-driver’s identification card;
• Other state-issued ID;
• Permanent Resident Card or Resident Alien Card (I-551, can be photocopied for Title IV purposes);
• Certificate of Naturalization if it contains a recognizable photo (even though it does not have an expiration date);
• Inmate ID from a government facility (even if it does not have an expiration date); or
• State-issued voter ID (even if it does not have an expiration date).

If you have any questions about acceptable identification, or anything else about this requirement please contact our office and we will assist you.