Verification is a process where Winthrop University confirms the data reported on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Winthrop University has the authority to contact you for documentation that supports income and other information that you reported.
You will be notified by the Office of Financial Aid by e-mail if you have been selected for verification.
Due to COVID-19, Winthrop may not be able to meet the processing timeline mentioned below. Staff are processing your paperwork as fast as possible.
We review paperwork in the order it was received, so do not wait to submit requested documentation. Please allow approximately 3 to 5 weeks for the verification process from the time you have submitted all required documentation. Once verification items are complete, they will be listed as complete on your Wingspan account.
April 15 – Incoming and returning students and newly admitted transfer students who filed their FAFSA by November 1 are encouraged to submit paperwork by April 15.
July 2 - Requested paperwork should be submitted to guarantee review by the fall payment deadline date in August.
October 15 – Requested paperwork should be submitted to guarantee review by the start of spring registration.
November 10 – Requested paperwork should be submitted to guarantee review by the spring payment deadline date in December.
December 10 – Requested paperwork should be submitted to guarantee review by the first day of spring financial aid disbursement. Winthrop offices are always closed the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
If you are selected for verification, submit the documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid.
You can view the documents required for verification by logging in to your Wingspan
account:
• Click on Financial Aid
• Click on Financial Aid Menu
• Click on Eligibility
• Select award year from the drop down box
• Click on the icon below “instructions” for details regarding your outstanding requirement.
View a list of financial aid forms online.
As part of the verification process you may be required to submit additional information once your initial paperwork has been received and reviewed. You should promptly submit any requested items within 14 days of our request.
Your financial aid award package cannot be finalized until the verification process is complete.
Yes. If you are selected for verification your participation in the verification process is not optional if you wish to receive federal financial aid and/or state need-based aid. Verification documents must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid at least four weeks before the end of the semester.
Securely upload your documents through Wingspan (Financial Aid, Document Upload). Or fax to 803/323-2557. Or mail to: Office of Financial Aid; Winthrop University; Sykes House; 638 Oakland Avenue; Rock Hill, SC 29733. Make sure to include your Winthrop ID number on each page.
If discrepancies are noted between the information submitted on your FAFSA and the verification documents, we will electronically transmit the corrected information to the U.S. Department of Education Central Processing System (CPS).
It depends on the time of year. Please allow approximately 3 to 5 weeks for submitted documentation to be reviewed. If there is conflicting information, you may be asked to submit further documentation. Your federal financial aid awards and any state need-based awards cannot disburse to your student account until the verification process is completed. Our busiest processing months are June, July, August, and September. It is imperative that you submit your documentation early enough to allow time for processing before financial aid disbursement begins each term.
Once verification items are complete, they will be listed as complete on your Wingspan account. If you had previously received an award package, you will receive an e-mailed financial aid award notification only if the verification process results required a change to previously awarded financial aid.
