As we discussed last month, the secondary verification process for eligible noncitizens is still unavailable because current contracts with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) only allow one platform to perform this task. FSA acknowledged that this would cause significant delays for the small population of applicants who do not pass the initial identity verification process and collaborated with DHS to develop a interim solution.
Secondary Verification Workaround:
- Institutions will have temporary access to pending DHS secondary match cases
- Third-step users and supervisors can now view pending secondary match cases now that DHS has updated SAVE permission levels
- Administrators should review the DHS Primary Match Status (Field 557) to confirm is it says “N” (Not confirmed eligible noncitizen)
- Next, administrators must review the DHS Secondary Match Status (Field 558) to confirm if is says “P” (Pending)
- Institutions should search for the case in the SAVE system and proceed with the third-step verification process if both fields have the respective indicators
- FSA will not transmit an updated ISIR and the DHS Secondary Match Status will remain pending.
- Schools may proceed with awarding and disbursing federal aid if they determine that the applicant qualifies based on the other eligibility requirements for federal aid
Important Reminders:
- If an applicant’s status is marked as “closed” despite having an “N” for the DHS Primary status, administrators should enter the FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP) and use “Resend to Matches” function to send a correction.
- Institutions with sufficient documentation can award and disburse Title IV aid if they have not received a response from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after at least 15 business days from the third-step verification request date.
- Schools must document in the student’s file that the 15-day timeframe has passed and that they are making a decision based on the presented immigration documentation.
- However, student must continue to meet the criteria for eligibility and correct any discrepancies with the USCIS that their institution discovers.
The Department of Education reminds everyone that this is a temporary solution to the secondary verification process and will announce future updates to the FPP once a permanent change is made.