FAFSA Partner Portal Identity Verification Reporting: What Institutions Need to Know for 2025–26
The Department of Education has announced an important update that will impact how schools report verification of identity results in the FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP). Starting August 31, 2025, institutions will have access to new reporting functionality for the 2025–26 award year. The feature for the 2026–27 award year will be available at the start of that processing cycle.
Notably, schools will not be required to report verification of identity for the 2024–25 award year. While this provides some breathing room now, the workload in future award years will be substantial—especially given the expanded scope and tightened timeframes for reporting.
Who and When to Report
Schools must report verification results for any student placed in Verification Tracking Group V4 or V5 by the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) if the institution requested identity documentation from the student. This reporting requirement applies only to federally flagged students, not to those selected for verification by the school itself.
Normally, reporting must occur:
Within 60 days of requesting documentation from the student, and
Within 30 days of becoming aware of any changes.
Because the function won’t be available until August 31, 2025, initial and updated outcomes will be due within the standard timeframe OR within the 60/30-day period after the feature goes live, whichever is later.
How to Report
The FPP will provide a sortable and filterable list of flagged students. Institutions can submit results one-by-one or in bulk via a .CSV upload (up to 2,000 students per file).
Each record must include:
Student’s SSN
Last Name
Identity Verification Result Code
Result Codes:
1 – In-person verification; no issues
2 – Remote verification; no issues
3 – Verification attempted; identity issues found
5 – No response or unable to locate
Changes to V4 and V5 Requirements
Several significant changes are now in place:
No more Statement of Educational Purpose required for V4 or V5 students.
Expanded options for remote verification, including NIST IAL2, notary services, video calls, and correctional facility verification.
Incarcerated students verified at intake do not need reverification unless they change facilities or institutions.
Fraud Screening and the 300,000-Student Impact
For Fall 2025, fraud screening will remain a priority. Approximately 300,000 FAFSA applications are being flagged for V5 verification based on fraud risk patterns. This means institutions—already operating with limited staff and resources—will be tasked with processing and reporting a significant spike in verifications.
The Hidden Burden on Institutions
While the Department frames these changes as improved tools for fraud prevention, the operational reality is clear:
The reporting process is detailed and time-sensitive.
The volume of flagged students is unprecedented.
Staff training, procedural updates, and system integration will all be required before August 31.
For institutions already stretched thin, this is not just an administrative update—it’s a compliance challenge with real financial aid processing implications. Failure to meet these deadlines or accurately report outcomes can lead to program review findings, liability, or increased oversight.
How We Can Help
At JH Strategic Group, we understand the pressures this places on financial aid offices. With deep expertise in Title IV compliance, verification procedures, and FSA systems, we can:
Develop institution-specific workflows for identity verification and reporting
Train your staff on the new processes before the August deadline
Provide interim staffing to handle high-volume verification cycles
Liaise directly with FSA to resolve reporting and compliance concerns
If your institution is concerned about meeting these requirements, or simply wants to ensure smooth compliance without burning out your team, reach out today. We can help you turn a daunting mandate into a manageable process.
Bottom line: The August 31 rollout of FAFSA Partner Portal identity reporting is not “just another update.” It represents a significant operational shift that will hit during one of the busiest periods in the aid cycle. Institutions that prepare early and seek expert guidance will be in the best position to stay compliant, protect their Title IV eligibility, and serve their students effectively.
