When you a submit a FAFSA, the US Department of Education may select you for a process called Verification. If selected, you will need to provide documentation to the Financial Aid Office to establish your eligibility for federal financial aid. If you were selected for Verification of Identity, you will need provide proof of your identity.
Instructions
You must appear at the Financial Aid Office in person and present an unexpired government-issued photo ID. The Financial Aid Office will need to verify your identity and make a copy of your ID.
Acceptable IDs
Most forms of government-issued photo IDs are acceptable as long as they are not expired. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Driver's license
- State-issued ID card
- US passport
Unacceptable IDs
These types of identification cannot be used to verify your identity:
- School-issued ID cards
- Military IDs
What if I cannot appear at the Financial Aid Office in person?
If you are unable to appear in person at the Financial Aid Office, you may verify your identity remotely using one of the two alternatives below.
Alternative 1: Video Call
You may schedule a video call with a Financial Aid Office staff member. You will need to appear on video and present a copy of your government-issued photo ID. Our staff will need to take a legible screenshot of your ID for documentation.
You may schedule a video call by setting up an Office Hours appointment on the Contact Us page of this website.
Alternative 2: Notary
You may present your government-issued ID to a notary public and obtain a notarized statement. Follow the steps below.
1) Present your government-issued photo ID to the notary.
2) Obtain a notarized statement indicating that you appeared before the notary. You may use our suggested notary statement.
3) Submit the original notarized form and a photocopy of your ID to the Financial Aid Office by mail at the address below.
Caltech Financial Aid Office
1200 E California Blvd
MC 20-90
Pasadena, CA 91125